Julia H Kennedy

Julia, or most often called Judy, was born in Deland, Florida to Elizabeth Lockhart Matteson Hammock and Olin Clarke Hammock. Julia and her older brother David grew up as children of the Great Depression in rural south Georgia. As a teenager on a trip to Savannah beach she met her husband to be, Carl Kennedy. During WWII Carl was a bombardier on a B 17 crew, shot down over Belin on their sixth mission. Lt. Kennedy became a guest of the German Luftwaffe a POW until liberated by the Russian Army in April of 1945, the end of the war. Carl remained in the Air Force for 25 years. Not only were Judy and Carl avid correspondents during his captivity, they became sweethearts. Their letters are saved and are intended for the records at Andersonville National Historic Site, which includes the National Prisoner of War Museum that Judy and Carl helped to establish in 1998. Julia was also a leader among the officers’ wives in her married life yet she managed to earn her Bachelor of Arts Diploma, graduating Cum Laude in 1963 in Elementary Education. Julia’s life experiences as an Air Force spouse during the cold war influenced her three children. William David, their first child known as Billy, was born on 31 January 1947. Judy was delighted to welcome a daughter Betsy, formally Elizabeth Jayne, on 18 April 1949. To complete the family a second son, Carl Wayne, was born 10 December 1951. Judy and the Air Force wives at Carswell were the unsung heroes of the SAC organization raising children while keeping her husband flying, through many of his absences due to temporary duty assignments and weeklong alerts. Her three children earned six college degrees and enjoyed success in their chosen fields. After their retirements, Judy and Carl moved to their 40 acre farm near Byron, Georgia, which they shared with Julia’s parents and remained there until Carl’s passing in 1990. In 1992, now known as Julia, she moved to Air Force Village in San Antonio to enjoy a well deserved and happy retirement. Despite years of managing memory loss, Julia maintained her sunny disposition and ready smile until the end. Julia is survived by her three children, seven grandchildren, and eleven great grandchildren. She will be sorely missed and fondly remembered.

We love you, Mom.