Lucy Ann Bennett Killen was born November 21, 1931 to Thomas Bert Bennett Sr. and Laura Frances Womack of Nashville, Tennessee. Lucy had one brother, Thomas Bert Bennett Jr. who resided in Nashville, Tennessee and later in Athens, Georgia.
Lucy attended Lipscomb University and Vanderbilt University, graduating with her B.A. Not long after, she met Duncan Arnold Killen while attending Hillsboro Church of Christ. They fell in love and were married in the basement of the church March 8th, 1957. They honeymooned in Panama City, Florida, and the beaches of the Gulf Coast were always a favorite vacation spot.
They were avid travelers, and loved exploring European countries, with Austria and Switzerland being particular favorites.
Lucy gave birth to three daughters: Susan, Beth, and Laura over the course of 6 years, raising the girls, cooking meals, and taking care of the household while Arnold was pursuing a career as a surgeon.
She and Arnold relocated to Kansas City in 1972 for Arnold’s work accompanied by her mother "Mema,” whom she drove everywhere and cared for.
Lucy loved her grandchildren very much and enjoyed spoiling them at every opportunity. She bought the grandchildren shoes twice a year when they were young and growing fast. The grandchildren have fond memories of being with grandma and doing her favorite thing after Arnold retired--eating out at Panera!
Lucy always had a heart for helping others. Her passions included working in the food pantry and flower ministry at the Overland Park Church of Christ as well as taking care of her friends. She loved talking and was well-suited for caring for others, as she always would look for ways to help people. She was a positive, sweet southern lady who never lost her accent even after living in Kansas City for 47 years.
Lucy is survived by her husband, Arnold; two of her daughters, Susan McKeever and husband, Kerry, and Laura Brock and husband, David; a son-in-law, Bill Shipley, his wife Beth (deceased); eleven grandchildren: Chris McKeever, Katie McKeever, Kim McKeever, David Shipley, Rachel Fisk, Ben Shipley, Beth Jones, Sara Brock, Abby Houser, Rachel Brumfield, David D. Brock; and four great-grandchildren.
Lucy has nurtured our family for many years and we will miss her very much.
A Visitation will be held Friday, January 31st from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home at 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri.
Her memorial service will be Saturday, February 1st at 11:00am at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions go to the Overland Park Church of Christ Caring Ministry.
