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FUNERAL HOME

Peninsula Funeral Home & Crematory

11144 Warwick Boulevard

Newport News, Virginia

Joseph KENNEDY Obituary

NEWPORT NEWS - Joseph 'Jody' Price Kennedy, 51, died at home from Alzheimer's Disease on Tuesday, April 6, 2010.
Jody was a lifelong resident of the area and attended the Happy Class at Liberty Baptist Church. He was a member of Boy Scout Explorer Pack, Post 140 at Sarah Bonwell Hudgins Center. He lived for many years at the Sawyer House and worked at the Arc. Jody spent his last two years bringing sunshine into the home of Rufus and Audrey Kennedy.
Jody was born Oct. 10, 1958, in Newport News.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Clarine C. Kennedy; his father, Rufus R. Kennedy Sr.; and his brother, Rannie Dewitt Kennedy, who died in the line of duty as a young Virginia State Trooper.
Jody's smile and zest for life will be remembered and missed by his brothers, Van Wayne Kennedy of Hampton and Rufus R. Kennedy Jr. of Newport News and wife, Audrey; nieces, Renee Kennedy, Kathy Johnson and Samantha Kennedy; stepniece, Kristin Dallos; nephews, Scott and Ryan Kennedy; family and friends.
The family would like to acknowledge and thank Gloria Daniels, Clarine Moore and the staffs of the Arc, Eggelston Services and Riverside Hospice for their care of and devotion to Jody.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 9, at Peninsula Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 10, also at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Peninsula Memorial Park. Friends and family are invited to 5 Squires Place in Newport News after the service.
Peninsula Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Daily Press from Apr. 7 to Apr. 10, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph KENNEDY

17 Entries

Beulah Davis, LSW, Riverside Hospice

April 16, 2010

Audrey, Rufus and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss of Jody. I know how hurtful it is to lose a child, I did too. However, I can only imagine your pain at this time.
I heard such wonderful things about Jody. The staff who were involved with his care spoke highly and fondly about Jody. He truly touched many people in such a positive and loving way.
Audrey, I found out recently that I know your family. I worked with you and your family when your dad was ill.
I remember you all.
You all have my sincerest sympathies.
Be encouraged and blessed.

Kelly Murphy

April 11, 2010

Rufus and Audrey -
You are in my thoughts and prayers during this time of sorrow. Thank you for sharing the love and light that Jody brought to the lives of all the people who knew him.

Renee Kennedy

April 11, 2010

Although I will always miss you Jody the memories I have as a child with you and grandma and granddad will live in my heart forever. Going to dances, bingo and all of the activities you were involved in at Sarah Bowell are some of my fondest memories. Between bowling on Sat. mornings and Happy class on Sun. and boy scouts you lived a life that touched any and all who ever met you, and I would add you even you knew their their birthdays 10 years later. No one was ever a stranger to you and my hope is that anyone who ever knew you learned the lesson of love and happiness that you carried with you everywhere! Thank you Dad and Audry for taking such good care of him and allowing him to pass with the dignity he so deserved.

Julie Bowman

April 10, 2010

Such a pure, sweet spirit! I am grateful for the gift of Jody's life and the joy he obviously brought to so many. And grateful he is now free to experience pure Love unencumbered, no doubt beaming Love and Light on all who were touched by him, taught by him. Blessings to Audrey and Rufus, who exemplified God's tenderness for all of us. With love, Julie

Hannah Logan

April 10, 2010

God be with you both at this time of mourning. You were so good to him and he was blessed to have you. My heart goes out to you.
Love,
Hannah

April 9, 2010

Dear Kennedy Family, What a wonderful tribute it was to Jody to read so many people say how much Jody impacted their lives in such a positive way! It is a Testament to Jody's character and personality and to your Mother and Father who allowed Jody to be the best that he could be within his limitations. I had the priviledge of knowing your Dad and Sylvia Zucker and many other caring staff at Sarah Bonwell Hudgins when I worked as a Teacher's Aide for one year at the pre-school under the watchful eye of Jennifer Kincaid and Marge Topping and Midge McCloud and so many others. Your Dad and Sylvia, and Lil Diamonstein and so many others were visionaries. They knew that every young man and every young woman could live up to their full potential if the opportunity was available to them. Sarah Bonwell Hudgins filled the void for so many Parents who wanted the very best for their children and they were nurtured and encouraged by the wonderful and attentive staff at SBH. I remember that one of Jody's favorite activities was doing anything Boy Scout related. He loved wearing that uniform and could not have been prouder when he wore it to Scout meetings and other events. I remember Jody going to the dances at SBH and lighting up the room with his smile. Jody taught us all how short life is and to live it to the fullest and Jody did just that. May his memory always be for a Blessing and may we emulate Jody's character and pure love for people and for life. Blessings, Eddie Olshansky

April 9, 2010

It was great that Jody was able to add his smile and joy to some of the meetings I attended with his family. His smile will surely be missed.
Lorraine Winall

April 9, 2010

Rufus & family,
i am sorry for your loss..only meet him a few times.. from the stories i heard he was a great son,brother,and uncle,..he touched alot of peoples lives..

Patty Truitt

April 8, 2010

We are sad to hear about Jody. Our prayers are with you.It was fun growing up with him, playing pranks on the other guys.Miss you. Bobby and Patty Pritchard

Steve Stallings

April 8, 2010

Thanks for your smile Jody, it was always a pleasure to see. My prayers are with you Rufus and Audrey

Hazel Turner

April 8, 2010

Dear Rufus Kennedy Family,
We are very sorry to hear about Jody. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. He will certainly be missed.

Hazel Turner and son Mike

April 8, 2010

Jody will always be "My Man Jody". My prayers are with you during this time.

April 7, 2010

Dear Rufus and Audrey-
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you both during this difficult time.
In sympathy,
Earl, Barbara and Carla Morin

Judy and Marty Currie

April 7, 2010

"Jody Fellow" has always been our light, our love, our sunshine and our joy. Our 51 years with Jody have taught us many lessons, but none so profoundly as loving unconditionally and living in the moment. Jody Fellow was John Boy and the Waltons, petting dogs, loving to dance , cookies and milk at night, wrestling , taking naps, swiping your baseball hat, eating fried chicken, hamburgers and french fries, and remembering everyone's birthday and how old you were. Jody liked to smile. Bubba Rannie has been waiting for Jody and along with Mom and Dad are taking Jody by his hand and welcoming him into God's Kingdom where he will never hurt again. We will always miss you and we will always love you, Jody Fellow, and we are so glad you were in our lives. Judy Kennedy Currie and Marty Currie

Clarine Moore

April 7, 2010

Dear Rufus and Audrey,
Words can't express the joy and happiness Jody brought to my life!
I will always remember Jody for his bright “smile" and beautiful "blue eyes". We loved him but God loved him best so he decided to send his special Angels to come set Jody, aka. "Bubba Man" free of all pain & misery.
Always know I'm a phone call away if you need me.
I will be forever grateful God allowed Jody to be a part of my life and he shall stay in my heart forever.
It will be the little things
that you will remember,
the quiet moments,
the smiles, the laughter.
And although it may seem
hard right now,
it will be the memories
of these little things
that help to push
away the pain
and bring the smiles
back again.

With Loving Memories

With Sincerest Sympathy
Love you both
Clarine

Clarine Moore

April 7, 2010

I will always keep "Bubba Man" ( Jody) in my heart forever!

Susie Culp (Back)

April 7, 2010

Dear Rufus and family...
We have loved Jody forever. I truly believe he was the best part of our life on this earth. The lessons he taught us in life will remain with us forever and hopefully make us better people just by knowing him. If you need anything at all, please call on us..we will be there for you. Just remember all of the wonderful love Jody brought to our lives. Now he is with your Dad .... he is whole and is probably riding a bike and playing the games he could never do here.
We love all of you...

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