Colleen Gentry Kennedy

Colleen Gentry Kennedy, a faithful follower of Jesus Christ, passed away Sunday May 22, 2022, at the S. Mitchell Mack Hospice & Palliative Care Center in Mooresville, North Carolina. Mrs. Kennedy was born October 8, 1930, in Surry County North Carolina to Manleth and Beatrice Mae Gentry.

During her 91 years, Mrs. Kennedy (Colleen, Granny) was a loving wife, mother, granny, great granny, friend, and prayer warrior to many.  She was a constant blessing to her family and all who had the privilege of knowing her, from her phone calls, birthday cards, and just her gift of lifting them up.  Simply being near her you could feel the presence of Jesus.  Even as she neared the end of her earthly life, she continued to be a blessing to all of those around her, praising Jesus and being a true example of what it means to be at peace.  Her greatest desire is/was for all her loved ones one day to be in heaven together.  While she will be missed beyond measure, her legacy of faith and love and the memories will carry us through until we see her again at the Eastern Gate, where she has promised she will be waiting to welcome us home.

Mrs.  Kennedy was preceded in death by her loving husband of 43 years Van Warren Kennedy, Sr., her son Daniel Warren Kennedy, her parents, infant brother, sisters, Bernice Benton and Lestene Shumate.

Those left to cherish her memory are, daughter, Cathy Kennedy Peabody (Howard) of Mooresville, sons, Terry Kennedy (Lynn) of Elkin, Van Warren Kennedy, Jr (Brenda) of Roaring River; grandchildren, Benet Patterson, Aimee Donaldson, Andrea Westmoreland, Heather Leeper, Van Warren Kennedy, III, Brooke Hooker, Benjamin Kennedy, Christopher Kennedy, and Daniyel Bates;  great-grandchildren Savanna, Nicholas, Rebecca, Caroline, Sara Cate, Madalyne, Ava Belle, Asher, Abigail, Katherine, Hudson, and Parker; loving brother, Dalin Gentry and a special niece, Anna Rice.

A celebration of her life will be held Thursday, May 26, 2022, at 2:00 pm at Oak Level Baptist Church where Mrs. Kennedy was a faithful member for many years.  Officiating the celebration will be Rev. Keith Wood, Rev. Don Hudson and Rev. Matty Ponce-de-Leon. The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:00 pm prior to the service in the adjacent church fellowship hall.  Burial will follow immediately following the service at Charity United Methodist Church. Mrs. Kennedy will lie-in-state Wednesday from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Elkin Funeral Service.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Oak Level Baptist Church, PO Box 123, Roaring River, NC 28669 or Fall Creek Baptist Church, 3345 Fall Creek Church Rd, Jonesville, NC 28642.

The family would like to thank her special neighbors Trent, Maria and Max, caregivers Kathy, Mary and Christy for their love, compassion and kindness.