Janet Palmer Kennedy

Janet Palmer Kennedy, 85, of Atlanta, Georgia, passed away on August 9, 2026. She was born April 25, 1941, in Winston Salem, North Carolina and grew up in Lenoir, North Carolina. Janet was the daughter of the late Robert Glenn and June Elizabeth (Betty) Palmer. Music was an important part of Janet’s life from an early age. A gifted musician, she studied piano and organ as a young girl performing and playing organ for her church. She was later a member of the renowned Lenoir High School Band, led by legendary band director Captain James C. Harper, playing clarinet. Janet graduated from the University of North Carolina, at Greensboro with her major in organ music, and thereafter relocated to Atlanta, Georgia to begin her career. She continued to pursue her passion for music throughout her life with a professional career as an organist. Janet was a long-time member of the American Guild of Organists. Janet also enjoyed a long career with Truist Bank, where she served in many different capacities. She began her career as a teller ultimately retiring as a Vice President in Training and Development. Outside of work, Janet found joy in cooking, music, playing bridge, and, most of all, spending time with her family at the beach.

She is survived by her three children, Marjorie Kennedy (Doug Betsinger) of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, Rebecca Seay (Jeff) of Marietta, Georgia, and Sarah Kennedy (Gerald Schaefer) of Atlanta, Georgia; three grandchildren, Elizabeth Seay, Katie Seay, and William Betsinger; her brother, Robert Glenn Palmer, Jr. (Kathy) of Brevard, North Carolina; niece, Martha Palmer (Lauren); nephew, Glenn Palmer (Allie); and her cousins, Jim Gossler, III of Morganton, North Carolina, Jim Palmer of Beaufort, South Carolina, and Stephen Palmer of Lilburn, Georgia.

Janet was preceded in death by her cousins, Wini Coleman of Kingsport, Tennessee, and Lois Smith of Charlotte, North Carolina. A private service for the family will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Atlanta Chapter of the American Guild of Organists in Janet’s memory at https://agohq.org/