Jennie Teal Kakalec

Jennie Teal Kakalec passed away peacefully on June 10, 2025, at the age of 97. She was born January 21, 1928, in Raeford, North Carolina, to James Hector Teal and Margaret Lewis Teal. She is predeceased by her husband George and older sister Peggy Brewer. Jennie is survived by her son James of Durham and sisters-in-law Margot Kakalec (Morgan Hill, CA) and Barbara Kakalec (Rockaway, NJ). She is a member of Trinity United Methodist Church.

Jennie and grew up in Durham and graduated from Durham High School in 1946. The day after graduation, Jennie and her best friend Hilda (Holloman) Thune boarded a train heading north. She found a clerical job with the US Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington, DC. It was there she met George Kakalec, a World War II veteran from Pennsylvania. They were married in October 1948 and lived in the Virginia suburbs. Their son James was born in 1959. In 1987, after long careers with the government, George and Jennie retired and moved back to her beloved Durham and the Duke Blue Devils.

In their retirement, Jennie and George enjoyed traveling. The visited friends across the US and many foreign countries, including the village in Slovakia where George’s father was born. Among the cherished souvenirs of their trips was Jennie’s beautiful gold necklace featuring crosses representing the different Christian religions.

Jennie brought her Southern charm to the large Kakalec family—George was fourth of 13. She was the definition of a kind, Southern lady. Holidays with family were always memorable and were highlighted by her own style, her exquisite table, and her delicious Southern cooking. Jennie’s many, many nieces and nephews hold those memories fondly.

Viewing is 1 pm Monday, June 16 with service following at Hall-Wynne. Jennie will be laid to rest beside her husband at Maplewood Cemetery in Durham.