Funeral service for Robert Bryan Kennedy, age 85, of Fayetteville, TN will be held at 4 PM on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at Higgins Funeral Home with Reverend Craig Carmichael officiating. Visitation with the family will be from 2 PM until 4 PM on Saturday at Higgins Funeral Home. Private burial will take place in Rose Hill Cemetery at a later date.
Bryan was born on March 13, 1938, in Huntland, TN, to the late Raymond Blanco Kennedy and Nellie Smith Kennedy. He was a Professor Emeritus at Athens State College, and a 2009 member of TSSAA Hall of Fame for calling basketball. At the time of his induction, he had been calling basketball in the state of Tennessee for more than 50 years. Bryan worked at Redstone Arsenal for 25 years. Mid-life while still working on the Arsenal, Mr. Kennedy also owned and operated Kennedy Jewelry Store on Fayetteville Square for 15 years. Right before he retired from Redstone Arsenal, he started as an adjunct professor at Athens State University. Upon retirement he began to teach full time and taught until he was 81. Above all, Bryan’s biggest love was his grandchildren. He enjoyed watching them play ball and dance. Mr. Kennedy was always happiest when he was with his family. One of his most recent joys was getting to meet his great granddaughter. Mr. Kennedy passed away on January 15, 2024, at Huntsville Hospital Lincoln Health in Fayetteville.
Survivors include his wife, Judy Kennedy; daughters, Nicole (Donnie) Harris, and Ashley (Cad) Daly; grandchildren, Savanna (Drew) Naugher, and Case Daly; great-granddaughter, Harper Naugher. In addition to his parents, Bryan was preceded in death by his brothers, Ray Kennedy, and Jack Kennedy; sisters, Jonnie Rowell, Mary Taylor, and Margaret Smith; and half-sisters, Ozaline Gamble, Sybil Burdette, and Veronica Keem.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lincoln County Humane Society, P.O. Box 37, Fayetteville, TN 37334 or your local Animal Shelter.
Higgins Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Robert Bryan Kennedy.
