. Raymond Robert “DaddyRay” Kennedy, 98, of Waterloo, passed from his long full life of 98 years while surrounded by his loving family on Monday, September 30, 2013. He was an elder for 35 years at Stewartsville Church of Christ, and retired from the Southern Railroad after 38 years of service.
Visitation will be Wednesday, October 2, 2013 from 1 – 3 p.m. at Greenview Funeral Home with the funeral service beginning at 3 p.m. in Greenview Memorial Chapel. Officiating will be Ellis Coats, Ray Frizzell, Larry Watkins, and Wayne Gean. Burial will follow in Tri-Cities Memorial Gardens.
Mr. Kennedy was preceded in death by his wife, Willine Lambert Kennedy; daughters, Jerry Diane Balentine, Mary Elizabeth Kennedy; sons-in-law, Charles David Phillips, Jimmy C. Johnson; brothers, Bert, Marvin and Edward Kennedy.
He is survived by his daughters, Emilee Kennedy Johnson, Laura Jane Phillips; son-in-law, Lendon Balentine (Linda); sister, Lillian Belue; grandchildren, Bobby Kennedy Perry, Laura Perry Morris (David), Gregory Lendon Balentine (Jackie), Beth Balentine Burns (Michael), Laura Amanda Phillips, Jonathan Paul Phillips (Anna), Becky Phillips Holliday (Terry), Lori Balentine Ray (Jeremy); 17 great-grandchildren; five adopted great-great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson, Caden Lee Kelley; and a special cousin, Andre’ Reed. DaddyRay loved all of his children.
Active pallbearers will be Wesley Morris, Joseph Perry, Noah Phillips, Luke Phillips, Drew Burns, Dustin Burns, Bryson Burns, Ken Balentine, Nathan Balentine, Clay Holliday, and Taylor Holliday.
Honorary pallbearers will be Paul Rice, Russ Lambert, Jr., Dr. Tim Ashley, and Dr. Felix Morris.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the E.C.M. Hospital 5th floor nurses and 6th floor Palliative Care nurses for their wonderful care of DaddyRay. Also, to the Advantage Hospice team, especially nurse Jane Biffle.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, or Mars Hill Bible School.
