Jimmie Frances Cantrell Kennedy

Smithville – Jimmie Frances Cantrell Kennedy, 74, died on Tuesday, February 11, 2014, at North MS Medical Center, Tupelo. Born on September 28, 1939, in Smithville, she was a daughter of the late Charles Edward & Frances Beatrice Lantrip Cantrell.

Jimmie Frances was a graduate of Smithville High School, Class of 1957. On February 9, 1958, she married Ira C. Kennedy. She worked at Security Bank before becoming a stay-at-home mom. Jimmie Frances was a member of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Soft spoken, kind, unselfish, strong in her beliefs, and a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother, her church and family were an essential part of her life. Jimmie Frances enjoyed genealogy, gardening, cross-stitching, going to the Wellness Center, and visiting the Smokey Mountains.

Survivors include her husband of 56 years, Ira Clayton Kennedy, Smithville; daughter, Amy Snow (John), Smithville; sons, Gregg Kennedy (Susan), Smithville, Kevin Kennedy (Bobbie), Charleston, Keith “Pete” Kennedy (Kitsi), Guntown, Wesley Kennedy (Teka), Union City, TN, and Paul Kennedy (Misty), Smithville; grandchildren, Thomas Kennedy (Bonny), Kara Burks (Colby), Ben Kennedy, Hannah Crawford (Clint), Chelsey Gazaway (Andrew), Austin Kennedy, Dillon Kennedy, Brandi Bridges, Halle Kennedy, Tucker Kennedy, Hayden Kennedy, Lane Kennedy, Brock Kennedy, Mollie Rose Kennedy, Ashtyn Hensley, and Marley Kate Snow; great- grandchildren, Analyn Crawford and Chase Burks; sister, Joy Jordan (Larry), Gainesville, FL; brothers, Eddie Cantrell (Carol), Starkville, and R. W. Cantrell (Jane), Amory; brother-in-law, Lawrence E. “Rabbit” Kennedy, Wren; several nieces & nephews; and special friends, Martha Jo & Troy Williams, Jerri Nash, and everyone with whom she came in contact.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10 AM, Friday, February 14 at E. E. Pickle Funeral Home with Bishop Matthew Westcott presiding. Burial will follow in Smithville Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Thomas, Austin, Tucker, Ben, Dillon, Brock, and Hayden Kennedy; Colby Burks; Clint Crawford; and Andrew Gazaway. Honorary pallbearers will be Robert Fredrick, Billy Waddle, George Bowen, Chris McKissick, Robin Fredrick, Jimmy Nash, Wayne Thompson, Smithville High Class of 1957, Mike Comer, Dr. James Monroe, C. D. Leech, Troy Williams, and Danny Stites.

Visitation will be from 5 – 8 PM, Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be given to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St Jude Place
Memphis, TN 38105; Ronald McDonald House Charities, Memphis, 26345 Network Place, Chicago, IL 60673-1263 , or to Wegener's Foundation, Inc. 3705 South George Mason Drive, Suite 1813 South, Falls Church, VA 22041.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at eepicklefuneralhome.com.