Born on October 23, 1935 in Jackson, AL, Jean was the oldest of two daughters. She grew up on a dairy farm in Grove Hill, AL, and later graduated from Clarke County High School and the University of Montevallo.
While attending summer classes at the University of Alabama she met James E. (Ed) Kennedy, then a full-time student at UA. They married after their respective graduations and began their life together in Birmingham. Over the next nine years, Jean gave birth to three children and became a busy and devoted mother.
During this time, she also worked as a family counselor in Birmingham and, later, in Mobile. In 1976, she served as President of the Senior Board of Mobile’s Florence Crittenton Home for Unwed Mothers.
After Ed’s career took Jean and their family from Birmingham to Pascagoula, Mobile, and New York City, they returned to Mobile in 1985. There they spent their retirement years traveling and enjoying the company of their dear friends, many from Springhill Baptist Church. They also cherished every moment with their children, and each summer Jean and Ed hosted Cousin’s Camp for their seven precious grandchildren.
Jean was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother. We celebrate her life with gratitude, and we love her beyond the ability of words to express.
She is preceded in death by her parents James P. Pugh and Alda Mae Cravey Pugh, as well as her sister Dorothy Ann DeLoach.
Jean is survived by Ed, her husband of 68 years; their children James E. Kennedy, Jr. (Maryjane); Philip Marshall Kennedy (Millie); and Rebecca Kennedy Parden.
Jean and Ed’s grandchildren and great grandchild are: James E. Kennedy, III (Mary Kelly) and Lacey Kennedy Greer (Braxton); Emily Kennedy Armour (Joseph) and their daughter, Claire, Rebekah Kennedy Carroll (McKenzie), and Kathryn Marshall Kennedy; Rachel Anne Parden and Joel Kevin Parden, Jr.
The family wishes to thank Mittie Benion and her team of caregivers for their compassionate and constant service during the past year.
A memorial service will be held at Radney Funeral Home, 3155 Dauphin Street, Mobile, Alabama on September 13 at 1:00pm. A brief visitation period will be held from 12:15 until service time, with a private burial afterward.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Springhill Baptist Church Foundation, 2 S. McGregor Avenue, Mobile, Alabama 36608.
