Mrs. Mary Bernadine Kennedy, age 77 passed away Tuesday, June 22, 2010, in her home following a short illness. She was born December 22, 1932, in Clever, MO, to Claude and Esther (Smiley) Collins. She was united in marriage to Harley Kennedy March 19, 1949, and to this union eight children were born. She was a homemaker and dairy farmer, and owned Kennedy’s Café of Pleasant Hope.
Her parents; her husband of 46 years Harley; an infant brother; and a brother in-law Lee Phillips precede her in death.
She is survived by eight children: Mary and her husband Wayne Trantham of Beatrice, NE, Buddy and his wife Sharron Kennedy of Fair Play, MO, Michael and his wife Connie Kennedy of LaRussell, MO, Susan and her husband Elvin Yeager of Branson, MO, Daniel and his wife Gloria Kennedy of Bolivar, MO, DeEtta and her husband Dan Brasso of Broken Arrow, OK, Peggy and her husband Robert Day of Tulsa, OK, and Judy and her husband Orbie Inman of Havana, AR; 45 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren, and one great great granddaughter; four sisters: Ethel and her husband Arthur Harp of Bolivar, MO, Melba Phillips of Fair Grove, MO, Claudia and her husband Bob Garrison of Springfield, MO, and Betty and her husband Jim White of Springfield, MO; one brother in-law Richard and his wife Sandy Kennedy of Savannah, MO; as well as numerous other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, June 24, 2010, in Pitts Chapel with Rev.’s Wayne Trantham and Brock Kennedy officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant Hope Cemetery. Musical selections of “In The Garden”, “Higher Ground”, and “Lord, I’m Coming Home” will be sung by Harold Phillips. Pallbearers will be: Neal Trantham, Justin Kennedy, Josh Kennedy, Patrick Murphy, Lee Brasso, Brad Kennedy, Cory Goins, Nick Goins, Zach Inman, Isaac Inman, Robbie Day, and Ryan Day. Visitation will be held Wednesday, June 23, 2010, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM in the funeral home. In lieu of plants and flowers memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Friends and family may sign a guest book or send private condolences at: www.greenlawnfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Pitts Chapel Bolivar, MO.