Charles Arvle Kennedy

CHARLES A. KENNEDY, loving husband, devoted father and faithful friend to all who had the pleasure of knowing him, passed away peacefully at his home in Athens, on Saturday, February 23, 2019.   He was born in 1927 on the family farm in the Sewee Community to the late John A. and Hila Foster Kennedy and lived his entire 91 years in McMinn County. He trusted Christ and was baptized in 1948, becoming a member of McMahan Calvary Baptist Church, where he was active for many years. Later he was a 30 year member of First Baptist Church, Athens and an 11 years member of East Athens Baptist Church, before becoming a charter member of Genesis Baptist Church. He was retired from Bowater Southern Paper Co. after 32 years service, and had worked at McMinn Motor Co. and Case Farm Machinery in Athens, Tenn., He spent much of his leisure time fishing, hunting, camping, boating, tending his vegetable garden and volunteering  for Meals on Wheels. He took up golf in his retirement and enjoyed many happy times of fellowship with his "golfing buddies". Before and after his retirement, he and his wife enjoyed traveling, visiting 25 foreign countries and all 50 states. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers and their spouses, Bart (Edna) Kennedy, Jim (Russie) Kennedy, John (Glenna) Kennedy, T. O. "Todd" (Frances) Kennedy, and Warner "Chittle" (Dorothy) Kennedy; Sisters: Carrie Jones (Oscar), Maggie Watson (Fred), Ida Barfield Ruhana (Frank) , and Juanita DeLorenzo (Joseph T.)

Survivors include:

•  Wife of 71 years: Betty Firestone Kennedy of Athens, Tenn.,
• Daughter and Son-in-law: Karen and Douglas Harrod of Athens, Tenn.,
• Son and Daughter-in-law: Charles E. "Chuck" and Billie Kennedy of Plantation, Fla.
• Grandchildren: Marianne Kennedy of Denver, Col. Amanda Kennedy of Jacksonville, Fla. John D. (Michelle) Harrod  of Houston, Texas, Charles Mark Harrod of Nashville, Tenn.,  Joseph Charles Kennedy of Sacramento, Calif.
• Great Grandchildren: Caroline Harrod and John Grayson Harrod of Houston, Texas;
• Brother-in-law Parnick Firestone of Fla.
• Numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members; 

Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, February 27, 2019 in the Chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with Rev. Pete Mullins officiating.

Interment will follow in McMinn Memory Gardens.

Active pallbearers will be  John Harrod, Mark Harrod, Joe Kennedy, Louis DeLorenzo, Mike DeLorenzo and Dennis Firestone. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Keylon, Bell Vicars, Sam Stephens, Carl Hutsell, Ross Morrow and Herb Summers.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 - 2:00 P.M. Wednesday in the funeral home. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Genesis Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 661, Athens, Tenn. 37371-0651 of your favorite charity.

Condolences may be sent to www.laycockhobbs.com/notices/-Kennedy.

Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home, Athens, Tenn. is  in charge of arrangements.