Rev. Kennedy

The Reverend Dr. Joseph Whitner Kennedy entered the church triumphant on December 16th, 2016, in Waynesboro, Virginia. Dr. Kennedy was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, friend and pastor. Dr. Kennedy was born in Spartanburg, SC, on March 16, 1928, the youngest son of Dr. Leland McDuffie Kennedy and Elizabeth Fleming Bean Kennedy. He was predeceased by two brothers, Rev. Dr. Leland McDuffie Kennedy and Rev. Dr. William Bean Kennedy, and two sisters, Jane Kennedy Crosswell and Katharine Kennedy Ferguson. Dr. Kennedy is survived by the love of his life, Aileen Kabrich Kennedy, of 63 years. He is also survived by three sons, Joseph Whitner Kennedy, Jr., and his wife Donna, Bradley Randolph Kennedy and his wife Darlene, Leland McDuffie Kennedy and his wife Elizabeth; grandchildren, Joseph Whitner Kennedy, III and his wife Sarah, Robert Hughes Kennedy, James Gordon Kennedy and Rachel Miles Kennedy, and great grandson, Joseph Whitner Kennedy, IV. After graduating from Spartanburg High School, Dr. Kennedy served his country in the United States Navy during World War II, spending two years on a submarine in the Pacific. Following his service in the Navy, he received his Bachelor of Arts from Wofford College, where he excelled at basketball and tennis. Upon completing his BA at Wofford College, Dr. Kennedy obtained a BD degree from Union Theological Seminary. Continuing his post graduate education, Dr. Kennedy obtained his Master's Degree of Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary and his Doctorate of Sacred Theology from San Francisco Theological Seminary. Dr. Kennedy was ordained in his home church of First Presbyterian Church of Spartanburg and went on to serve at First Presbyterian Church in Bishopville, SC, First Presbyterian Church in Natchez, MS, First Presbyterian Church in Hickory, NC, and concluded his career serving seventeen years at First Presbyterian Church, Waynesboro, VA. Dr. Kennedy was devoted in his service to the Church and to his community. Throughout his lifetime, he was chair of every major Shenandoah Presbytery Committee and served on many Synod committees. He was a member of the General Council of the former PCUS and a member of the Social Witness Policy Committee of the PCUSA. He served on the Board of Trustees at Belhaven College, Davidson College, St. Andrews Presbyterian College, Sunnyside Presbyterian Retirement Communities and Montreat. As a lifelong Rotary member, Dr. Kennedy was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow in recognition of his service and dedication to the Rotary Club. Dr. Kennedy was an avid golfer, tennis player and fisherman. He most loved spending time with family in two of his favorite places, Montreat, NC, and Garden City Beach, SC. The funeral was held at First Presbyterian Church of Waynesboro, VA, on Tuesday, December 20, 2016, at 2:00 pm. The service was conducted by Rev. George Chapman, III and Rev. Albert Connette. The family received friends in the church parlor immediately following the service. The memorial and interment service scheduled for January 7, 2017, at First Presbyterian Church in Spartanburg, SC, will be rescheduled due to inclement weather. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Waynesboro, at PO Box 877, 249 S. Wayne Avenue, Waynesboro, VA 22980 and Summit Square Fellowship Fund, 501 Oak Avenue, Waynesboro, VA 22980. The J. F. Floyd Mortuary To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Rev. Dr. Joseph Whitner Kennedy please visit our Sympathy Store.