AGNES KENNEDY

1929 - 2015

KENNEDY, AGNES Agnes Blitch Kennedy passed away March 10, 2015. Agnes was born on October 13, 1929 to James Daniel Blitch and Agnes Atkinson Blitch of Statesboro, GA. She spent the early years of her life in Statesboro and grew-up only five houses down from the love of her life, John W. "Bill" Kennedy. She graduated from Statesboro H.S. in 1946 where she received several honors. After high school, Agnes attended Georgia Southern College, Georgia State College for Women, and eventually joined Bill in Athens at The University of Georgia. Both graduated from the University of Georgia in 1950; Agnes with a B.S. degree in Home Management and Bill with a degree from the College of Pharmacy. While attending the University of Georgia, Agnes was a very active member of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, and served as Chaplain. She was also a member of Phi Epsilon Omicron National Honor Society. Bill and Agnes married August 4, 1950, and moved to Columbus, GA where Bill served in the Army Medical Reserves and began his career as a pharmacist and store manager with Liggett Rexall Drug Co. A year later they moved to Albany, GA and were blessed with the birth of their first child, Bill, Jr. Their next move was to South Florida which eventually led them to Orlando where Bill and Agnes established Kennedy Rexall Drug in 1960. In 1963, they were blessed with twins, Ann and Ed. Their last move was to Lake Conway where they built their dream home in 1968. The family spent many afternoons enjoying the lake with friends and neighbors. Whether the Kennedy children were sailing, fishing, water skiing or at a friend's house, they always knew when their mom was looking for them. Agnes would stand on the back patio and ring a bell that could be heard clear across Lake Conway - dinner time! Agnes enjoyed helping Bill at the store with the bookkeeping, purchasing and artfully displaying items for the gift department. She loved her family dearly and always put them first, focusing on her children and their many activities. Agnes was an avid reader and accomplished pianist. She especially enjoyed her grandchildren and hosting many family gatherings and holiday dinners. It was a weekly tradition for the family to gather on Sunday afternoons at "Kennedy Beach". Agnes was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Orlando and The Country Club of Orlando. Agnes had a stroke in April of 2011 that left her partially paralyzed and unable to speak. She spent 4-years at The Lutheran Commons so that she could be well cared for and Bill visited her nearly every day. She could be found in her room at 3:00 p.m. waiting anxiously for his visit. He loved to walk in her room and see her face light up when she saw him. They were true soul mates. Agnes is survived by her husband of 65 years, John W. "Bill" Kennedy; three children, Bill Kennedy, Jr. (Sally), Ed Kennedy (Kelli) and Ann Woodman (Doug) and her four grandchildren, Caroline and John Kennedy as well as Joey and J.B. Woodman. She is also survived by her brother, James Daniel Blitch, III (Dottie) of Athens, GA., as well as many nieces and nephews. Agnes and Dan were very close and shared wonderful childhood memories. We could sit and listen to him for hours telling wonderful childhood stories about growing up in Statesboro. Additional family includes first cousins, Jimmie Blitch (Patricia) and Freddie Blitch (Debbie) of Statesboro, GA, and Smets Blitch (Joann) of Bixby, Oklahoma and India Peters (Jim) of Atlanta, GA, as well as many cherished and beloved cousins. Agnes is predeceased by her parents, James Daniel and Agnes Atkinson Blitch; uncle's Fred and Henry and her dearest aunt Lila Blitch. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, March 17th at 10:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Orlando, 106 East Church Street, Orlando, FL 32801. Prior to the memorial service there will be a private graveside burial for family only. In memory of Agnes, donations can be made to the Heart of the City Foundation, Second Mile Fund, 106 East Church Street, Orlando, FL 32801. Baldwin Fairchild-Ivanhoe Funeral Home will be handling the arrangements.