Obituary of Joy Kennedy

Former Sulphur Springs resident Joy Kennedy, 84, died March 18, 2012 at Autumn Leaves of Garland. Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation at West Oaks Funeral Home in Sulphur Springs on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 from 5:00-7:00 PM. The funeral will be at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at West Oaks Funeral Home Chapel and interment will be at the Restland Cemetery in Roxton, Texas. Joy was born on January 12, 1928, the daughter of Herbert and Lorene Casey. She graduated from Roxton High School in 1945 and from Paris Junior College in 1946. She began teaching in a two-room school at Pleasant Hill in Lamar County and continued her education at East Texas Sate Teacher’s College in Commerce Texas. While teaching at West Lamar School she met Geral Kennedy who was the Vocational Agriculture teacher. They were married on July 9, 1950. In 1966 she and Geral moved to Sulphur Springs, Texas where she continued teaching for another 20 years. She retired from the Sulphur Springs Independent School District in 1986 after 40 years of teaching. She and Geral were active members of the Texas Retired Teachers Association. Joy had a heart for Christian service. She taught Bible classes and was a wonderful hostess who enjoyed having friends and family in her home for meals. She was faithful to visit and take food to the sick and to provide meals and comfort for the bereaved. She was a member of League Street Church of Christ for 42 years. Joy is survived by her husband, Geral B. Kennedy of Garland, two daughters, Jan Nichols and husband Alvis of Wylie, TX and Karol Edwards and husband Phil of Plano, TX, grandchildren Julie Truex and husband Bryan of Plano, TX, Brent Nichols and wife Jill of Niteroi, Brazil, Bethany Edwards of New York, NY, and Matt Edwards of Waco, TX, and great-grandchildren Reagan, Cheney, and Haley Truex of Plano. Memorial Contributions may be made to Arms of Hope, “Boles and Medina Children’s Home,” 21300 State Highway 16, North Medina, TX, 78055-3820. Arrangements are under the direction of West Oaks Funeral Home. www.westoaksfuneralhome.com