Eunice Kennedy

Dr. Eunice Myrlene Kennedy "Dr. K", 78, of Pasadena, TX passed away on Sunday, January 12, 2014. She was born October 15, 1935, to Eunice Brady and William Jasper Kennedy (and a loving sister, Lois Virginia Kennedy Harper) in Newby, Texas, where she lived until she was 7. Then the family moved to Houston -- and then to Pasadena on July 6, 1949, where she resided until her death January 12, 2014. Graduating from Pasadena High School in 1953, she graduated from University of Houston in 1958 with a BBA degree. She earned a Masters of Education from Sam Houston State University with a major in Education and a minor in Physical Education, and a PhD in 1976 in Physical Education & Health from Texas Woman's University.

In September, 1959, Myrlene started a career in the Friendswood Independent School District that would span 55 years. She enjoyed great success in coaching girls' basketball and winning 9 district championships, losing only 1 district game in 9 years.

In 1969, she started a program along with the band/choir director Jerry Sedotoer that has grown into a huge Friendswood tradition, the annual Friendswood High School Spring Musical. Over the years, she carried the title of teacher, director of student activities, assistant principal, principal, and assistant superintendent. She started and continued to support many activities including pregame football dinner, worked with many UIL activities including journalism, speech (with state championships in both), the Patriotic show at the halftime of football game, Homecoming and all of the traditions that go along with it, and too many more to mention. In June, 2013, she retired from FISD but returned halftime in August, 2013, to do the things she loved: working in FISD.

Myrlene was preceded in death by her mother and father, William and Eunice Kennedy and her brother-in-law Max Harper, Jr.

She is survived by her sister Lois Kennedy Harper of Dallas, TX; nephew Max Harper, III and wife Ellen of Kerens, TX; niece Brenda Kim Gomez of Dallas; great nieces, Tracey Lynn Shepherd and husband Brian of Allen, TX and Kelly Corene Sloan and husband Connor of Abilene, TX; great nephews, Brady Max Harper of Garmisch, Germany, Glenn Edward "Chase" Gomez, Jr. of Dallas, TX, and Benjamin Sterling Gomez of Dallas, TX; great-great nephew Todd Brian Shepherd; and great-great nieces Natalie Lynn and Harper Kate Shepherd.

Friends are cordially invited to the visitation with the family on Thursday, January 16, 2014 from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Friendswood Friends Church, 502 S. Friendswood Dr., Friendswood, TX 77546.

The funeral service will be held on Friday, January 17, 2014 at 2:00 P.M. at the South Main Baptist Church, 4300 E. Sam Houston Parkway S., Pasadena, TX 77505 with Dr. Ron Lyles officiating. Interment will follow at the Grandview Cemetery in Pasadena, TX.

In lieu of usual remembrance, Myrlene requested donations be made to The Myrlene Kennedy Women's Athletic Scholarship Fund, c/o Wells Fargo Bank, 830 S. Friendswood Dr., Friendswood, TX 77546.

Condolences may be sent to the Kennedy family in care of Jeter Memorial Funeral Home at www.jeterfuneralhome.com.