Linda Zuline Kennedy Jones passed away peacefully, with her family by her side, on August 10, 2022, from complications of Parkinson’s Disease. Everyone who loved her knows she had a beautiful eighty years on this earth, yet it still felt too soon.
Linda was born during WWII, the daughter of Alvin Guy Kennedy, Sr., who served in the war, and Zuline Maygarden Kennedy, who was not a soldier per se but certainly was tough enough to have been. She was the middle child, brother Alvin being slightly older and always protective. She was ecstatic to learn that she was having a baby sister, Judy, when she was 9 years old. They would become lifelong best friends.
As a child, Linda was as remarkably kind as she was fiercely competitive. She especially liked to win races and basketball games, particularly if given the opportunity to beat the boys, and she often did! Her relationship with God was unshakable, and she was very young when she became a charter member of South Brookley United Methodist Church. She did an amazing job allaying any spiritual uncertainties experienced by her daughters. She pulled from her own inner peace to supply the Christian encouragement she gifted to them and to others.
After graduating from Murphy High School, she met the love of her life while fishing at Dauphin Island. Robert (Bob) Jones was stationed at Brookley Field while serving in the Air Force. They were married in 1962 and had two daughters, Robin and Debby. Linda was a very involved mother who delighted in attending softball games and violin concerts. She was room mom, team mom, swim mom, and troop leader. She was a math whiz who patiently taught and tutored her own children and several of their friends. She was approachable and everyone, even the most troubled youth, knew they could talk openly to her.
Her family was her life, and she would talk to anyone and everyone about her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was never happier than when she was in the center of all of them. The feeling was certainly mutual.
She was a substitute teacher and taught kindergarten and Sunday school. She touched the hearts and broadened the minds of hundreds of children. She said that all children should be treated equally and with enthusiastic optimism toward potential.
She was a natural historian, a collector, an ardent Alabama football fan, and arguably the world’s wittiest grandmother. She was an artist who painted, sketched, and shared her love of crafts with her daughters and grandchildren. A sewing enthusiast, she made dresses and outfits for her girls and quilts and dolls for her grandchildren. She was an animal lover, and animals certainly loved her in return. Even the large, stray goat (yes, goat) who confronted her as she got out of her car in her driveway was quickly forgiven - after she recuperated from the initial shock.
Linda was the last living charter member of South Brookley United Methodist Church. She was so proud of that designation. She taught Sunday school there for over fifty years, and except in the case of natural disasters or other such significant events, she never missed a Sunday. She was a constant presence there until Covid-19 complicated physical attendance, but even then, she was there in heart and spirit.
Examples of her unwavering integrity have been shared in recent days. Linda was unwilling to gossip - even when her daughter really wanted her to. She had the ability to find positive attributes in every person. While taking part in her sister’s creative writing classes, she always wrote the best stories but had a hard time writing about negative topics, even if they were simply fictional. She never raised her voice, and we have not been able to find anyone who ever heard her curse (yet she was unfazed by those who did). All who were blessed to know her recognized quickly that they had met someone innately good.” Good” in this instance is a simple yet beautiful term used to describe an innocence not often paired with so much wisdom.
Linda is preceded in death by her husband of thirty-eight years, Bob Jones; her parents Alvin Guy Kennedy, Sr. and Zuline Maygarden Kennedy; and her brother Alvin Guy Kennedy, Jr.
She is survived by her children Robin Harrison (Claude) and Debby Armstrong (Brian); her sister Judy Gammage (Mickey); grandchildren Jessica Harrison, Christa Harkins, Michael Harrison (Alle), Jacob Harkins (Genevieve), and Katie Armstrong; great-grandchildren Morgan, Caralynne, and Candace; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, one devoted Charles Payne.
Services will be held at Pine Crest Funeral Home on Dauphin Island Parkway with visitation from 12 noon until 2:00. Graveside services will follow at 2:00. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to South Brookley United Methodist Church.
Her favorite color was green. If guests have something green to wear and would enjoy doing so, we would love to have you join the family in honoring her by wearing green to the services.
And though my weary steps may falter
And my soul a-thirst may be
Gushing from a rock before me
Though a spirit joy I see.
And all the way my Savior leads me,
Oh, the fullness of His love,
Perfect rest in me is promised
In my Father's house above.
When my spirit clothed immortal
Wings it's flight through the realms of the day,
This my song through endless ages,
Jesus led me all the way.
-"All the Way My Savior Leads Me" 1875; by Fanny J. Crosby
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