Rev. Bettie Ruth Engram Kennedy

Bettie Kennedy was born May 19, 1931 to Willie Mae Ingram, a single parent, in Broaddus, Texas. She was legally adopted by her great uncle and aunt, Will and Evie Bell Engram of Lufkin, Texas, in 1934. She attended Lufkin Public Schools, graduating from Dunbar High School in 1949. Following high school, she attended college at Prairie View A&M University where she was an extremely active student. She was elected ROTC Queen and selected finalist in the Queen's Court at Prairie View A&M University. In 1953, she earned a bachelor's degree in education. She also attend post graduate courses at Stephen F. Austin and Texas Southern University. She completed her Post Graduate certification in Special Education. She received special training and certification from the Texas Deaf, Blind and Orphan School in Austin, Texas. Bettie taught at the Deaf, Blind & Orphan School in Austin for a number of years. She subsequently taught in Lufkin Public Schools for over twenty-five years. After teaching, she became an ordained minister and was pastor of Collins Chapel Christian Methodist Church (C.M.E.) for over twenty-five years. She continued as an affiliate pastor of Long Chapel CME Church until her death. In recent years, Bettie has received numerous awards and honors including the Yellow Rose of Texas, Texas Community Service Award, Angelina Award Lifetime Achievement Community Service Award, Cultural Diversity Award, Paul Harris Fellow Rotary International Award and Fellow, Citizen Chamber Pinnacle Award, Civil Rights Award, Diboll History Center Award, U.S. Forestry Award, Outstanding Citizen Award, Black History Award, Jewel Award, Preservation Award, Concerned Citizen Award, Top Ladies of Distinction, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, American Cancer Society Presidents Award, Dunbar Hall of Fame Honor inductee, Salvation Army Award, AmeriCorps of Texas Award and the Angelina Award. Bettie lived her life as a servant of the Lord and to serve His people. Her ministry to others began when she was a small child. During the throes of the Great Depression, she saw her mother, Evie Bell, feeding, clothing, and taking care of those in the community. Bettie would ride her bicycle far beyond her home on N. Chestnut, laden with food and clothes to give to people in need. She continued this love for God's people throughout her life. She started a Thanksgiving Community Food Drive over twenty-five years ago. Over time and with the support of churches, friends, family, and others, particularly Bruce Love of DP Solutions, this Food Drive has grown to feed more than 1,600 families in the Lufkin and surrounding communities. Bettie was an amazing storyteller and historian. She was always sought out for her portrayals of great African American women - Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King. Bettie has worked with Stephen. F. Austin University to research and preserve African American history in East Texas, having a collection and exhibit named for her in 2014. Bettie was preceded in death by her former husband Oscar Kennedy. Parents: Will and Evie Bell Engram and Willie Mae lngram. She is survived by her children. Sons: Oscar D. (Myrt), Kermit A., Keith C. (Lisa); Daughters: Oscar Vernell Jordan, Miriam (Howard) Coleman, Bettell (Rex) Benham; Willette (Roy) DuBose, Valencia Kennedy, Bettie "Boo" (Anthony) Watts, Angela Moreland. Also left to cherish her memory are 20 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Katie Louise Harris; and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins. Also left to cherish her memory are her special cousins, Gladys Square, Willie Ingram and Lee George Ingram; her best friend, Myrtle Davis and her husband, Paul Davis (who Bettie referred to as her little brother). Bettie had numerous close friends that she considered family, including lifetime friends, Harold Hicks; Lacy Chimney and his wife, Dorothy; Shirley Fears Davis, and her husband, Rev. Milbrew Davis, and numerous others. Bettie's personal circle of influence included the common men and women you meet in every day life, from the highly elected and successful people, to the ordinary man on the street. Bettie touched countless lives and lived her life to lead and inspire others. Funeral services for Reverend Bettie Ruth Engram Kennedy are scheduled for Saturday at 1:30 p.m. in the Harmony Hill Baptist Church. Reverend Robert Gipson will officiate and Reverend Dr. Edward Thomas will be the Eulogist. Visitation will be held on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. in the First United Methodist Church, 805 E. Denman, Lufkin, Texas. Colonial Mortuary, directors.