Jerry A. Kennedy, 81, of Germantown, Tennessee, passed away Saturday, November 4, 2023. Jerry was born on March 30th, 1942 in Huntsville to Fay Lyle and Lessie Monroe Allison Kennedy. Jerry was married to his adored wife Elizabeth Ann Kennedy for 62 years. He is survived by their three children: Karla Rice (Glenn), Michael Kennedy and Mary Anthony (Richard); eight grandchildren: Tommy, Kerri (Francis), Kirk, Wesley (Shania), Anthony (Abbie), Jenna, Luke, and Ryan; and three great-grandchildren Kayla, Jakob, and Penelope Jane. Jerry also leaves one sister, Betty Beard and many beloved nieces, nephews, and extended family. He was predeceased by his wife Ann, his parents and his younger sister Judy Robins.
Jerry met the love of his life Ann at a young age. They were married January 28th, 1961. He and Ann enjoyed going to dance parties and spending time together. They soon started their family, raising three children in Southaven, MS and then Germantown, TN. Jerry enjoyed working in the yard, listening to the Memphis Tigers games, boating, taking long walks, and spending time with his grandkids and his dogs. He was a generous person who spent his time doing things for others, whether it was driving Ann to her many shopping trips, picking up his Father-In-Law for Sunday dinner, helping you through a crisis, teaching you to swim and ski, or happily playing with his grandkids in the pool. He took care of Ann until her final days.
Jerry completed his education while working and raising a family, earning both a Bachelor and Master of Engineering degree. He worked at Dover Elevators (later ThyssenKrupp) for over forty years. Jerry believed in hard work and helping the next generation to succeed. He was a long-time member of St. Marks and then Germantown United Methodist Church.
A visitation will be held Friday, November 10, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Brantley Funeral Home, 6875 Cockrum Street, Olive Branch, MS 38654, with a funeral service to follow from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.brantleyfuneral.com for the Kennedy family. Memorial donations can be made to Literacy Mid-South, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Alzheimer’s Association or the University of Memphis Herff College of Engineering scholarship fund.
