Charles Edgar Kennedy

Charles Edgar Kennedy, youngest child of William Lee and Beatrice Bernice (Bea) Kennedy, was born on December 12, 1933 and died on July 12, 2016. Charles was born in Washington D.C. and grew up in Gulfport, Mississippi. He graduated from Gulfport High School in 1951. He received a Bachelors and a Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering from Auburn University. His career as a mechanical engineer brought him to M. W. Kellogg in Houston, where he designed and built large petrochemical plants around the world. Charles eventually retired in 2001 from Halliburton. Charles chose to become a Christian at a young age and never wavered in his faith. At Clear Lake Presbyterian Church, in the 1970-80’s, Charles started a singles’ Sunday school ministry that grew to over 200 members. As an Elder in the church, Charles led small groups and Bible studies all over the world. Charles and Mary lived in The Netherlands for 3 years before moving to Johnson City in 2005. In 2011, they joined Central Baptist Church in Johnson City, TN where they taught and led small groups. Charles had a love of music all of his life. He was classically trained on the piano, had a dance band in his late college years, and sang as a tenor in Central’s Senior Joy Choir. He had a vast knowledge and great love of art, literature, music, movies, and theatre. He was funny, very well read, loved books, very actively engaged mentally, always had a story to tell, would sit and ponder what everyone around him was saying, and then tell a joke (amazingly relevant)! As an accomplished director he contributed to two plays for Science Hill High School and acted and directed over 30 plays in Mississippi and Texas. In addition to his parents, Charles was preceded in death by his sister, Marjorie Mae Kennedy Ross & her husband Tite. Charles is survived by his loving wife of 29 years, Mary White Kennedy; four daughters, Allyson Bohlman & husband Hal of Johnson City, TN, Lee Kennedy of Houston, TX, Kristi Willis of Austin, TX, and Ginger Bordeau & husband Shane of Mountain City, TX; son, Martin Kennedy & wife Hope of Houston, TX; six grandchildren, Jennifer Tucker & husband Jesse, Kathleen Kennedy, both of Houston, TX, Sarah and Tyler Bohlman, of Johnson City, TN, and Sean and Ali Bordeau of Mountain City, TX; brother, Bill Kennedy of Los Angeles, CA; three nieces, Lee Ross Tucker & husband Dan, Jan Ross Griffin, and Stacy Kennedy; nephew, Scott Kennedy & wife Julie; three great-grandnieces, Kelle Griffin Wesson, Lee Tucker Herrin & husband Will, and Lauren Kennedy; three great-grandnephews, Ross Tucker & wife Suzanne, Lockwood Griffin & wife Kim, and Alex Kennedy; nine great great-grandnieces/nephews, Drew Tucker, Bailey Tucker, Alana Wesson, Jackson Wesson, Hudson Griffin, Lock Tucker, Nobles Herrin, Tucker Herrin, and Greer Griffin; greater family, Tom & wife Rhonda Bier of Johnson City, TN; their children, Lydia Price & husband Phillip, Grace Reed & husband Brandon, Ellen Bier & fiancé Jacob Cronin, and Nathan Bier. A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held on Saturday (July 23, 2016) from 10:00 a.m. to noon at Central Baptist Church (300 N Roan Street, Johnson City, TN 37601) in the Gathering Place. Join us in this celebration to listen and share your memories and stories of Charles, his life, and his faith. In lieu of flowers, please honor Charles’ memory and our life at Cornerstone Village Senior Living Community by contributing to Cornerstone’s Benevolence Fund (2012 Sherwood Drive, Johnson City, TN 37601). The purpose of this fund is to help keep residents in their homes, even if their money is diminishing.