Kenneth Hayes Kennedy

1926 - 2014

TUPELO – Kenneth Hayes Kennedy, 88, died Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, at his residence after an extended illness. A native and lifelong resident of Tupelo, he was born March 24, 1926, to the late B.C. Kennedy and Lillian Greer Kennedy. He was a member of Harrisburg Baptist Church for 74 years. On Dec. 24, 1943, he married the love of his life, Grace Lowthorp. During World War II, he served in the Special Forces Unit of the First Division Marine Corps in Okinawa, where he received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He owned and operated Kennedy Transfer & Storage for many years until his retirement in 1998. He enjoyed reading, wood working, and most of all spending time with his grandchildren.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, 2014, at Jefferson Street Chapel with the Rev. David Langerfeld and Dr. Forrest Sheffield officiating. Burial will be in Tupelo Memorial Park. W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.
Survivors include three sons, Danny Hayes Kennedy (Ellen), Kenneth Gregg Kennedy (Margaret Ann) and Kirk C. Kennedy (Melissa), all of Tupelo; seven grandchildren, Denise Kennedy-Brown (Jason), Jennifer Loague (Daniel), John Frazier Kennedy (Brandi), Grant Kennedy, Mary Margaret Kennedy, Jessica Grammer (Mason) and Victoria Kennedy, all of Tupelo; five great-grandchildren, Alinea Loague, Miles Kennedy, Brady Gray, Chris Grammer and Kalem Grammer, all of Tupelo; two nieces, Patsy West and Sandy Maharrey (Rick); one nephew, Jimmy Lowthorp; and special caregiver, Sharon Clifton.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Grace Kennedy, who passed away May 29, 2014; and one sister, Bonnie Tedford.
Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Rieves, Dot Rieves, Otto Buckner, the Rieves-Twitty Sunday School Class, as well as the former and current employees of Kennedy Transfer & Storage.
Visitation will be from 12 p.m. until service time Friday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Sanctuary Hospice, 5159 West Main Street, Tupelo, Ms 38801 or Harrisburg Baptist Church, 4675 Cliff Gookin Blvd., Tupelo, MS 38801.
Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com.