Carolyn Jean Skinner Kennedy, 86, of Arab, Alabama assed away on Friday, March 6, 2026 at Gadsden Regional Hospital.
Carolyn was born on August 23, 1939 in Litte Rock, Arkansas, to Truman Raymond and Hazel Marie (Griffith) Skinner. She was preceded in death by her parents and her two brothers, Raymon Skinner and Phillip Skinner.
She attended Jacksonville State University, where she met the love of her life, Bobby Wayne Kennedy. They shared 54 years of marriage, cherishing a lifetime of memories together until his passing in 2012.
Carolyn worked at Redstone Arsenal as a secretary for several years before continuing her education and earning an Elementary Education degree from St. Bernard College. She went on to teach 5th and 6th grade for 34 years in the Arab School System.
She was known affectionately by many young lives in the community and carried a deep compassion for her students. Her influence reached far beyond the classroom.
Carolyn enjoyed dancing with her husband, Bobby; working on the farm; sewing; traveling across the United States; and fishing. These simple joys reflected her warm spirit and love for family and adventure.
She is survived by her three children: Tammy Lynn Carr (Paul), Gary Wayne Kennedy, and Jimmy Paul Kennedy; her grandchildren; Rachel Hillary Jones and Amy Kaitlyn Klingner: and her great-grandchildren: Jeremy Scott Klingner, Harrison Thomas Klingner, Samuel Wesley Jones and Lydia Carolyn Jones.
Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel will hold a graveside service on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 11:00am at Arab Memorial Cemetery.
She was very much loved and will be greatly missed. She’ll be forever in our hearts.
