Debra Kennedy

Matthew 25: 34-40, "Then the King will say to those on his right, `Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Debra lived a life dedicated to service of others. After graduating from E. St. Louis Sr. High School in 1979, she joined and served as a proud member the U.S. Airforce. Upon her Honorable Discharge from military service, Debra joined the U.S. Postal Service and served numerous St. Louis communities throughout her career spanning 32 years. Debra was always a fighter, willing to stand up to injustice and to stand between harm and her family or community. When the groundswell of resistance to police violence against Black and Brown people gave rise to the Black Lives Matter movement, Debra answered the call to stand with protesters in Ferguson, St. Louis City and St. Louis County to bring about political and social change in our communities. Debra worked tirelessly to gather and distribute clothing to homeless men, women and children in the St. Louis communities. She learned to crochet so that she could make winter hats for people who needed simply to keep their head warm. Black lives mattered dearly to Debra, but not to the exclusion of other people faced with poverty or injustice. Some of Debra’s closest friends include White community activists who stood with her amidst the chaos following the Michael Brown shooting and the White Police Chief of Pevely, Missouri, who she came to know during the Ferguson protests.

Debra loved family and she especially cherished her Mother, her nieces and nephews and her dogs (whom she referred to as her babies). Debra J. Kennedy, 59, of St. Charles, Missouri, passed away Friday, June 12th, 2020. She was born February 11th, 1961 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to James and Bessie Kennedy. Debra is preceded in death by her Grandfather, George Bing, Grandmother, Rose Edna Green, Father, James L. Kennedy, and Niece, Ardonnya Harris.

Debra is survived by her Mother, Bessie M. Kennedy of Belleville, IL, Sisters, Edna (Bill) Jeffries of Shiloh, IL., Mary Ann Harris of Shiloh IL., Janet Davis of Stone Mountain, GA., Sandra (Phillip) Walker of Fairburn, GA, Brothers, James (Agnes) Kennedy of East Saint Louis, IL, Melvin (Gala) Kennedy of University City, MO, Sister-in-law Mattie Kennedy of O’Fallon, IL, Uncle, Willie (Gloria) Bing, Cousins, Joyce Hill, George (Yvette) Williams Sr., Jeremiah Williams Sr., Barbara Ann (Lawrence Sr.) Rumph, Collette (Marvin) Jackson, Sherry (Jerome) McCellion, Alphonso (Brea) Carter Sr., Calvin (Che) Williams, Sr., Latasha Bailey, Lorenzo (Kimberly) Owens, Betty (Michael) Owens Young, Kenneth (Malinda) Owens and her very special lifelong friend, Beatrice (Freddie) DuPont

Debra also leaves to cherish her memory, her Nieces and Nephews, Ricardo Jeffries, Mario Harris, Anissa (Pernell) Witherspoon, Kwame (Rebecca) Kennedy, Tonya Kennedy, Veronica Wicks-Pattman, Brian (Angela) Clay, Jordan Kennedy, Justin Kennedy, Jessica (Jerry) Felder, Phillip (Annie) Walker II, along with Grand Nieces and Nephews, Kniangeles (DeMario) Smith (Amari), Akil Harris, Ameer Harris, Anyia Kennedy, Robert Howard (Robert Jr., Aiyanna) Ardenae Harris (Erykah, Ari), Dezuree Harris, Grace Harris (Aliyo, Amara, Armani), Jonaton Harris, Kwane Kennedy(Roman) Izabella Kupihea, Jaylon Johnson, Mijah Wicks, Malcolm Pattman, Malia Pattman, Messiah Pattman, Jordan Danberry, Phoenyx Stone, Brian Clay Jr., and a host of other relatives and friends.

The visitation for Debra Kennedy will be on Sunday June 28, 2020, from 2:00-6:00 p.m. at Lake View Funeral Home, 5000 North Illinois Street, Fairview Heights, Illinois 62208. Under the current social distancing rules only 10 people will be allowed to view her at one time and they will rotate viewers into and out of the chapel. Masks are required. The funeral will be held on Monday June 29, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. Only immediate family will be allowed. The service will be streamed live on the funeral home’s Facebook page. Debra worked tirelessly to feed and clothe homeless people. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to a shelter or food pantry.

As some people journey through life, they leave footprints wherever they go, footprints of kindness, love, courage, compassion and inspiration. Even when they are gone, we can look back and clearly see the trail they left behind. Baby Sis, you touched so many people during your journey. Well done!