Rita Jean Kennedy

Rita Jean (Farris) Kennedy, age 77, passed away peacefully at Ohio Health Mansfield Hospital on Friday, January 17, 2025, surrounded by the love and presence of her children: Donald John Wallis, Jr., James Daniel Wallis (Laura), and Melissa J. Goff (Brett).

Rita is survived by her mother, Dorothy Farris; her sisters, Glenna (Jim) Kidwell, Barb (Mark) Kipp, her sister-in-law, Kay Farris; her beloved grandchildren, Caitlin, John Andrew (Hannah), Brianna, Valerie, Joshua, Gabriel, and Samuel Wallis; and her precious great-grandchildren, Cameron, Jacob, Roxanne, Weston, Luke, and Alexandra. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Kennedy; her father, John Farris; and her brother, Richard Farris.

Born on October 10, 1947, in Richlands, Virginia, Rita graduated from Northmor High School in 1965 and pursued her education at Emory and Henry College in Virginia. She eventually settled in Morrow County, Ohio to raise her family.

Later in life, Rita developed a deep love for Florida, the ocean, and the beach, spending several joyful years in Daytona Beach. A true NASCAR super fan, she attended the Daytona 500 and spent countless weekends cheering on her favorite drivers and teams. In true Rita fashion, she requested that her ashes be taken to Daytona to be scattered so she can enjoy the ocean breeze and an occasional race.

Her passions extended to the arts, where she found joy in flowers, reading, and painting. A talented artist, she became a certified Bob Ross instructor, sharing her creativity and love for nature with others.

Rita also enjoyed her morning and evening virtual coffee visits with her friend, Wilma, in Lexington, KY, where they spent many hours talking, reminiscing, and sharing about life’s triumphs and tribulations.

A celebration of Rita’s life will be held at a later date, where family and friends can gather to honor her legacy. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to a charity of your choice in Rita’s memory.

May her soul rest in peace, surrounded by the ocean’s beauty and serenity she so deeply loved, or in the front seat of a race car, going 170 mph around the high banks of Daytona International Speedway.