Opal Duncan Kennedy

Opal Duncan Kennedy passed from this earth on Feb 5th, 2020. She has now been reunited in Heaven with her parents Woodfin Grady Duncan and Effie Stone Duncan, her husband William Rae (Bill) Kennedy, her beloved son William Robert (Bob) Kennedy, and her sisters Virginia Duncan, Emogene Houston, and Johnny Lou Lake.

She was born at home on April 20, 1927 on a small farm in Sprott, Alabama. As a child she went to school in a one room schoolhouse, climbed trees, played in the woods with her four sisters, attended the local church on Sundays, and worked with her sisters and parents doing chores on the family farm. She also worked at the local five and dime “Scotts” until the family moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She graduated from Holt High School in Tuscaloosa where she was tapped into the National Honor Society. She went to work upon graduation for Western Union Telegraph Company in Tuscaloosa and eventually moved to Auburn, Alabama where she met her future husband Bill Kennedy.

Opal and Bill moved to Birmingham, Al where Bill was the General Manager of WCRT Radio. They had three children, Patsi, Bob, and Barbara. Opal was a stay at home Mom. She was on a bowling team, she loved to read. and she also loved to play Bridge and socialize with her friends. When her husband Bill died suddenly at the age of 46, Opal went to work as the Registrar for Vestavia Hills High School for 20 years until she retired in 1992. She also worked part time at Parisians Department store in Vestavia.

When her grandchildren came along, she enjoyed them all so much and she was so proud of them. Always the prankster, she loved to tease with them and tell them stories. They all loved to spend the night, go on walks in the woods with her, play hide and seek out at night, catch lightening bugs, and they ALL loved to go to the creek. They all loved “Gran”, “Memaw”, and “Grandma” so much.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory Her Sister Lorraine Powell (J.M.), Daughters: Patricia Carol Sweeney (Tim), Barbara Kennedy Lockhart (Steve), and Daughter in law Christine Adams Kennedy, Grandchildren: Matthew Sweeney (Kristen), David Sweeney (Elizabeth), William Robert (Will) Kennedy, John Adams (Jake) Kennedy, Sara Elizabeth Lockhart and Weston Brian Lockhart. Six great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the kind and caring staff in The Reflections of Life Unit at Sayre Christian Village in Lexington, KY who for the past three years have helped sustain our mother /grandmother/sister through her illness.

Funeral services will be held in the Chapel at Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham Alabama, Tuesday, February 11th at 1:00 in the afternoon. Burial following at Elmwood Cemetery.

If you would like to donate In lieu of flowers the family would suggest the Alzheimer’s Association.