Grace Jarvis Kennedy

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mary Grace Jarvis Kennedy on October 30, 2024. Grace was born on August 20, 1941 in Wilkes County, North Carolina to the late Hayes Warner Jarvis and Mozell Reavis Jarvis.

Grace was a graduate of Statesville High School and the School of Nursing at Wake Forest/Bowman-Gray School of Nursing. She was a dedicated nurse and cared for patients at Watts Hospital in Raleigh, Iredell Memorial Hospital, Lake Norman Regional Medical Center, and retired from Davis Hospital. In addition to her nursing career, Grace’s dedication to raising her four sons was her top priority.

Grace was a devout member of Western Avenue Baptist Church in Statesville with her husband John. Together, Grace and John served on multiple mission trips abroad with their church family, always returning with stories of hope and memories for a lifetime. The invitations to the annual Christmas performance at Western Avenue started soon after the current year was in the rearview mirror. Grace was a dedicated volunteer with the Good News Club at Third Creek Elementary School as well.

Grace was known for her Christian faith, strong will, determination, and unwavering love and support for her family, friends, church, and community. Her compassion for her children and grandchildren knew no bounds. She was a terrific cook as well and always kept her family well fed. Her skills in the kitchen shined during the holidays, and she loved having the entire family together for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Grace loved to travel. She and John visited many exotic places around the world, but her favorite place was always North Myrtle Beach. Nothing made her happier than finding a perfect sand dollar or olive shell on the beach. She loved a lightning storm over the ocean and simply watching and listening to the waves crash. The countless trips to Calabash and to many of the thousand Putt-Putt courses always made her smile as well.

Grace was a very competitive person. She loved to play Bridge and Gin Rummy with her friends and John, whom she often beat. She was a competitor at the Par 3 golf course and on the tennis court as well. At John’s request, the scoring of those sports won't be mentioned. As her children were growing up, she would gladly participate in a game of baseball or basketball with all the kids from Berkshire Drive and beyond. Many happy days were spent in and around the backyard baseball diamond and basketball court. Grace was right at home with the boys watching just about any sporting event.

If you knew Grace, or any of the Kennedy family members, you already know that she was a fiercely loyal Tar Heel. She loved spending time in Chapel Hill and being in Kenan Stadium on football Saturdays, as well as the Smith Center every chance she got. Dining at The Rathskeller and shopping at Shrunken Head and the other stores on Franklin Street was a cherished tradition for the entire family. GO HEELS!!!!!!!

Although Grace’s physical presence may no longer grace our lives, her spirit will continue to inspire and uplift us. May her memory be a blessing, and may we carry forth her legacy of love and compassion in all that we do.

Grace is survived by her beloved husband of 61 years, John Lowry Kennedy; by her sons, John Kennedy, Jr. (Marsha) of Concord, NC, the Rev. Dr. Scott Kennedy (Alison) of Winter Garden, FL, Brian Kennedy (Brenn) of Winston-Salem, NC and Mark Kennedy of Statesville.

She also is survived by her beloved grandchildren, Katie Kennedy of Durham, Madison Kennedy of Carrboro, Abigail Kennedy who is studying abroad, Caleb Kennedy of Winter Garden, FL and Vida Kennedy of Winston-Salem, NC.

In addition to her parents, Grace was preceded in death by her sister, Jean Price.

Services for Grace will be held on Thursday, November 14, 2024 at Western Avenue Baptist Church in Statesville. Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Her memorial service will follow beginning at 2:00 p.m.

Condolences may be sent to the family, online at http://www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com

Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home of Statesville is honored to be entrusted with the care of Mrs. Kennedy and her family.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Grace's memory may be made to The Gideons International, PO Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090-7251, www.gideons.org; and Western Avenue Baptist Church, 1206 Museum Road, Statesville, NC 28625.