Mabel Davis Kennedy Weddell, 91, Bonita Beach, Fla., passed away Friday, Nov. 16, 2012, in Carmel.
Born in Beulaville, Dublin County, N.C., on July 23, 1921, she was the daughter of Jay and Ida Mercer Kennedy.
After graduating as valedictorian from high school, she attended Eastern Carolina Teachers College, where she played on the women's basketball team. She graduated early, after only three years, with a bachelor's degree in education. She started her teaching career in Jacksonville, N.C. During this time, she volunteered at the local USO, where she met her future husband.
After World War II, Mabel married Arthur Olin Weddell, U.S. Marine Corps veteran, of Medora, on June 16, 1946, in Jacksonsville, N.C. They started their life together in Medora, where they both taught school. In 1948, she received her master's degree in early childhood education from Indiana University. She continued to teach in Batesville and Elkhart. The family moved to Tehran, Iran, in 1962, when Arthur was stationed there as the superintendent. During this time, Mabel taught at the American International School. They returned to the United States in 1965. She continued her teaching career in Monticello. In 1970, she received a certificate in special education from Purdue University.
Mabel loved to cook, entertain, paint, sew, garden, read, travel, play with her grandchildren and walk the beach. She was a member of the Indiana University Teachers Association, Bonita Springs First Presbyterian Church, Elks Club and Tri Kappa Organization. She will be most remembered for her devotion to her family, unselfishness, wisdom and welfare of others, especially children. She was greatly loved by family and friends and will be forever in our hearts.
Survivors include her children, James Arthur Weddell (Karen Fischer-Weddell) and Mia Suzanne Weddell (Bill Wilson); brother, James Powers Kennedy; grandchildren, Jami Ann Weddell, Nicole Kathleen Weddell Tancredi, Lauren Suzanne Weddell, Mackenzie Leigh Arnold, Logan Taylor Arnold and William Arthur Wilson; and great-grandchildren, Nixon Everett Trisler and Oliver Murdock Trisler.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Olin Weddell; son, Michael Byron Weddell; sister, Mavis Grey Kennedy Shaw; brother, Rex Monroe Kennedy; and grandson, Zachary Jordan Arnold.
Funeral service was conducted Sunday at Winklepleck-Weesner Funeral Home, Brownstown.
Memorial honorary gift donations can be made to the Julian Center. You may visit its website at www.juliancenter.org or call 317-941-2200.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
2 Entries
November 19, 2012
Sandra Smith
To the Weddell family, please accept my condolences for your loss. Mrs. Weddell was blessed to live a very long life with "extra strength" as the Psalmist says at Psalms 90:10. May your memories of good times together help ease the pain as you turn to God for comfort and peace.
November 17, 2012
Faye Verble
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