Family of George Washington Kennedy

**Great paternal Granduncle/aunt of Eula Claudine Reed

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George Washington Kennedy:

Parents: Hiram T. Kennedy & Sarah Jane DeWeese
Born: April 4, 1856 (Marshall ?, Texas)
Died: July 26, 1913 (Cunningham, Texas)
Buried: Woodward Cemetery (Lamar County, Texas)

Mary “Mollie” David Decker (spouse):

Parents: David Decker & Desire Howe
Born: February 8, 1862 (Ellis County, Texas)
Married: November 15, 1877 (Lamar County, Texas)
Died: April 8, 1944 (Cunningham, Texas)
Buried: Woodward Cemetery (Lamar County, Texas)

Children:

• Benjamin Edla Kennedy (Born: 1/15/1880);
• Daniel Edlaid Kennedy (Born: 9/1/1881);
• Sarah Isophene Kennedy (Born: 8/23/1883);
• Lula “Sena” Kennedy (Born: 9/5/1885);
• Viola Kennedy (Born: 5/26/1888);
• George Lee Kennedy (Born: 3/15/1890);
• David Hiram Kennedy (Born: 3/8/1892);
• Ollie Desire Kennedy (Born: 9/18/1894);
• Marion Franklin Kennedy (Born: 2/11/1897);
• Mary Sophronia Kennedy (Born: 12/3/1898);
• Claris Gerenia Kennedy (Born: 8/30/1898);
• Claude Lonzo Kennedy (Born: 6/5/1907).

Genealogical Sketch:

On April 4, 1856, George Washington Kennedy was born in Texas. Sometime around this same time (1855-1857), his parents (Hiram & Sarah Kennedy) moved their family 130 miles from Harrison County to Lamar County (Texas) where his father built a home near “Bushy Creek and Sulphur River“. Likely passed down by his parents, George Washington Kennedy would instill in his family that “Success has five ingredients. The first on is honesty; so are the other four.“[1]

Mary “Mollie” David Decker was born on February 8, 1862. According to her oldest son’s (Benjamin Elda Kennedy) death certificate, she was born in Ellis County, Texas.[2] Her mother’s maiden name was reported to be Howe (Desire Howe) on her death certificate, but only her father’s last name of Decker was reported.[3] Although he had been born in New York, her father, “David Decker, joined the Texas Calvary of the Confederate Army on March 26, 1862“. Mary “Mollie” Decker moved with her sister and her mother to Red River County.[4] On April 5, 1863, her mother married Solomon Malone in Ellis County and was widowed when he died in Franklin County on August 24, 1881. Her mother was born in Clark County, Illinois.[5]

• Interestingly, there was a 19 year-old D. Decker (female) born in Illinois recorded as living alone (had been married within the last year) in Ellis County (Texas) in the 1860 Federal Census. Living close-by was a 26 year-old D. Decker (male, born in North Carolina) and an 18 year-old W. G. Howe (male born in Texas). 

On November 15, 1877, George Washington Kennedy married Mary “Mollie” David Decker in Lamar County, Texas. They built a home on land owned by Hiram Kennedy soon after their marriage. With the exception of their youngest child (Claude Alonzo Kennedy), all of the children were born in this home (Claude was born near Munday, Texas). All their children lived to be adults, with the exception of Sarah Isophene Kennedy (born August 25, 1883) who died on September 22, 1885.[6]

Portrait of the son of George Washington Kennedy, Benjamin E. Kennedy, taken about 1884. Copy provided by Bill Crossland.

Portrait of the son of George Washington Kennedy, Daniel E. Kennedy, taken about 1884. Copy provided by Bill Crossland.

“During his early years, George (W. Kennedy) received a cut from an ax on his right knee. Fluid drained from the joint, resulting in a stiff and drawn knee which made it impossible for him to walk. Being a blacksmith and good craftsman, he fashioned a wooden leg from a hickory sapling cut from the home place. The leg was equipped with padding and straps and the bent knee was strapped onto the wooden leg making it possible for him to live a normal life.” Throughout his life, George W. Kennedy would make several of these “wooden legs“, with one passed down to his son Claude Lonzo Kennedy (see below).[7]

Photo of the wooden leg used by George Washington Kennedy. Copy provided by Phyllis Carpenter.

According to the 1880 Federal Census, the 24 year-old George Canaday was living in household #458 in Precinct #7 of Lamar County, Texas. Born in Texas, George Canaday was a farmer living with his 18 year-old wife Mary Canaday, and his 6 month -old son Benjamin Canaday (both born in Texas).

• Living in the next household (#459) was the widowed mother of George Washington Kennedy, the 66 year-old Sallie Canaday. Born in Kentucky, Sallie Canaday lived alone and both her parents were born in Virginia;
• Living in the next household (#460) was the brother of George Washington Kennedy, the 41 year-old James Canaday. Born in Kentucky, James Canaday was a farmer living with his 21 year-old wife Eliza Canady, his 4 year-old son William Canaday, and an unnamed 4 month-old infant Canaday (all born in Texas);
• Living in the next household (#461) was the brother of George Washington Kennedy, the 25 year-old Benjamin Canedy. Born in Kentucky, Benjamin Canedy was a farmer living with his 31 year-old wife Nancy Canedy (daughter of Eliza A. Wilcox), and his 9 year-old nephew Thomas Wilcox (both born in Texas);
• Living close by in household #469 was the sister of George Washington Kennedy, the 32 year-old Sarrah Diton. Born in Texas, Sarrah Diton was sick (“new Nalya”?) living with her 32 year-old husband Laron Diton (farmer), her 6 year-old son William Diton, her 4 year-old daughter Beckey Diton, her 12 year-old daughter Sarrah Owns, and a 26 year-old hired-hand James Fubs (all born in Texas). 

Portrait of the family of George Washington Kennedy taken about 1899 in Lamar County (Texas) and provided by Bill Crossland. Standing in the back row: Edla Kennedy, Daniel Kennedy, George Kennedy, and Lee Kennedy. Sitting in the front row: George Washington Kennedy, David Hiram Kennedy, Marion Kennedy (in front of David), Mary “Mollie” Kennedy, Ollie Kennedy, and Desire Malone Decker (Mollie’s mother is holding Sophronia). Not in the picture are the two youngest children – Claris Gerania and Claud Alonzo.

According to the 1900 Federal Census, the 44 year-old George W. Kennedy was living on the farm he owned (household #357) in Precinct #7 of Lamar County, Texas. Born in Texas, George W. Kennedy was a farmer living with his 38 year-old wife of 22 years Mary Kennedy,  his 20 year-old son Benjamin E. Kennedy, his 17 year-old son Daniel A. Kennedy, his 14 year-old daughter Sena Kennedy (at school), his 12 year-old daughter Viola Kennedy (at school), his 10 year-old son George L. Kennedy (at school), his 8 year-old son David H. Kennedy, his 5 year-old daughter Ollie D. Kennedy, his 3 year-old son Marion F. Kennedy, his one year-old daughter Mary S. D. Kennedy, and his 59 year-old mother-in-law Desire Malene. Mary Kennedy and all the children were born in Texas. A widow, Desire Malene was born born in Illinois and born in Illinois.

• Living close by in household #359 was the nephew of George Washington Kennedy, the 39 year-old John Sheppard. Born in Texas, John Sheppard was a farmer living wit his 45 year-old wife Eliza W. Sheppard, and his 21 year-old nephew Arthur Reed** (farm laborer). Eliza W. Sheppard was born in Arkansas and Arthur Reed** was born in Texas;
• Living in the next household (#360) was the 26 year-old Mary Wilcox, daughter of second husband (Thomas A. Skidmore) of the widow (Eliza A. Skidemore) of George Washingtons Kennedy’s brother (Jim Newton Kennedy). Born in Texas, Mary Wilcox was living with her 29 year-old husband Thomas Wilcox (married 8 years). Thomas Wilcox (James Thomas Wilcox) was a farmer born in Texas;
• Living in the next household (#361) was the widowed sister-in-law of George Washington Kennedy, the 51 year-old Nancy Kenedy. Born in Texas, Nancy Kenedy was a farmer living with her 15 year-old niece Zora Kenedy (daughter of Jim Newton  & Eliza Ann Kennedy) and a 21 year-old servant Ed Ladd. Zora Kenedy was born in Texas (Nov 1884) as was Ed Ladd (Jan 1879);
• Living close by in household #363 was the sister-in-law of the of George Washington Kennedy, the 41 year-old Eliza A. Skidemoore (widow of Jim Newton Kennedy). Born in Texas, Eliza A. Skidemoore was living with her 48 year-old husband Thomas A Skidmoore (farmer), her 8 year-old son Blake Skidmoore, her 7 year-old daughter Dona Skidmoore, her 5 year-old son Reuse Skidemoore, her 4 year-old son Mitchel Skidemoore, her two year-old son Dempsy Skidemoore, and her 4 month-old son Jessee Skidemoore (all born in Texas).

Portrait of the two youngest children of George Washington Kennedy (Claude Lonzo Kennedy & Claris Gerenia Kennedy) taken about 1908. Copy provided by Darlene Harper.

• On March 15, 1903,a double wedding was officiated for two of the sons of George Washington Kennedy (Benjamin & Daniel) and two of the daughter of Rufus Elah Page (Cuie & Mary). Benjamin Edla Kennedy married Cuie Page; and Daniel E. Kennedy married Mary Florence Page (Cuie’s younger sister). Rufus Elah Page and his wife Margaret had moved their children (Cuie, Mary, Zellner, Grammer, Martin, Porter, & Cora) from Montgomery County (Arkansas) to Texas around 1900 and settled near the Kennedy home.[8] The marriages reportedly took place in Lamar County, likely at the residence of George Washington Kennedy or their local church. 

Portrait of the son of George Washington Kennedy, Benjamin E. Kennedy with his wife Cuie taken about 1904. Benjamin Kennedy is holding his son James Marshall Kennedy. Copy provided by Bill Crossland.

• In 1903, the daughter of George Washington Kennedy (Lula Kennedy) married R. E. (Robert Edgar) Kyle in the town of Paris in Lamar County, Texas.[9]

According to the 1910 Federal Census, the 54 year-old G. W. Kenedy was renting a farm (household #83) in Precinct #3 of Lamar County, Texas. Born in Texas, G. W. Kenedy was a farmer living with his 48 year-old wife M. D. Kenedy, his 21 year-old daughter Viola Kenedy, his 20 year-old son G. L. Kenedy (worked on family farm), his 18 year-old son D. H. Kenedy (worked on family farm), his 16 year-old daughter O. D. Kennedy, his 14 year-old son M. F. Kenedy (worked on family farm), his 11 year-old daughter M. S. Kenedy, his 7 year-old daughter C. G. Kenedy, his two year-old son C. L. Kenedy, and his 69 year-old widowed mother-in-law D. Malone (born in Illinois). His wife and children were all born in Texas.

• Living nearby in household #136 of Precinct #7 in Lamar County was the daughter of George Washington Kennedy, the 24 year-old Lula Kyle. Born in Texas, Lula Kyle had been married 6 years; and was living with her 32 year-old husband Ed Kyle (farmer), her 5 year-old daughter Montra Kyle, her 3 year-old daughter Dee Louis Kyle, and her one year-old son Morris Kyle. Ed Kyle was born in Arkansas, and the children were all born in Texas;

• Living nearby in household #288 of Precinct #7 in Lamar County was the son of George Washington Kennedy, the 30 year-old Ben E. Kennedy. Born in Texas, Ben E. Kennedy was a farmer living with his 24 year-old wife Cuie Kennedy, his 8 year-old son Marshall Kennedy, and his 4 year-old son Marlin Kennedy. His wife was born in Arkansas and both sons were born in Texas;

• Living nearby in household #322 of Precinct #7 in Lamar County was the sister of George Washington Kennedy, the 56 year-old Cassie C. Bell. Born in Texas, Cassie C. Bell was living with her 56 year-old husband James H. Bell (farmer), her 19 year-old son Elisha G Bell and her 16 year-old son Albert M. Bell. Her husband was born in Missouri and both sons were born in Texas; 
• Living nearby in household #318 of Precinct #7 in Lamar County was the sister of George Washington Kennedy, the 28 year-old Dan E. Kennedy. Born in Texas, Dane. E. Kennedy was farmer living with his 23 year-old wife Mary Kennedy, his 6 year-old son Claud Kennedy, and his two year-old daughter Cumi Kennedy. His wife was born in Arkansas, and both children were born in Texas.

Portrait of two of the grandchildren of George Washington Kennedy, Claude and Cumi Kennedy, taken about 1910. Copy provided by Bill Crossland.

• On July 17, 1917, the daughter of Mary Kennedy (Sophronia Kennedy) married J. D. (Dave) Puckett in (Mount Vernon) Franklin County, Texas. She lived “in Red River County” for 57 years of her life and “was a member of the Bogata Church of Christ.[10] 
• On December 22, 1918, the son of Mary Kennedy (David Hiram Kennedy) married Lillie Hester Bays in the town of Cunningham in Lamar County, Texas. A farmer, David Hiram Kennedy and his wife “lived in Cunningham until 1953 when they moved to Dallas. They later moved back to Paris in 1957…”.[11]

Portrait of the six sons of George Washington Kennedy taken sometime around 1919. Left to right in the back are Marion Franklin Kennedy, David Hiram Kennedy, and George Lee Kennedy. In front are Benjamin E. Kennedy, Claude Lonzo Kennedy (standing), and Daniel E. Kennedy. Copy provided by Darlene Harper.

According to the 1920 Federal Census, the 53 year-old Mary Kennedy owned a farm (household #258) in Precinct #7 of Lamar County, Texas. Born in Texas, Mary Kennedy was a widowed farmer living with her 31 year-old daughter Viola Kennedy, her 29 year-old son Lee Kennedy, her 25 year-old daughter Ollie Kennedy. her 17 year-old daughter Gerinia Kennedy, and her 12 year-old son Claud Kennedy. All the Children were born in Texas and were working on the home farm.

• Living close by in household #270 was the son of Mary Kennedy, the 38 year-old Ben (Dan) Kennedy. Born in Texas, Ben (Dan) Kennedy was a farmer living with his 31 year-old wife May Kennedy, his 16 year-old son Claud Kennedy, his 12 year-old daughter Cumi Kennedy, and his two year-old daughter Imogene Kennedy. May Kennedy was  born in Arkansas and the children were born in Texas;
• Living nearby in household #291 was the son of Mary Kennedy, the 27 year-old Dave Kennedy. Born in Texas, Dave Kennedy was living with his 18 year-old wife Lillie Kennedy (born in Texas);
• Living in the preceding household (#291) was the son of the niece of George Washington Kennedy (Victoria Shepard**), the 39 year-old Arthur Reed**. Born in Texas, Arthur Reed** was a farmer living with his 39 year-old wife Eddie Reed**, his 17 year-old daughter Eula Reed, his 15 year-old son Lee Reed, his 13 year-old daughter Earley Reed, his 10 year-old son Floyd Reed, his 7 year0old son Paul Reed, and his 4 year-old daughter Audrey Reed.

• About 1923, the son of Mary Kennedy (George Lee Kennedy) married “Miss Tommie Brooks” (likely in or around Lamar County, Texas). On October 14, 1954, the 64 year-old George Lee Kennedy died in Dallas after “he had been ill about a month and suffered a heart attack”.[12]
• On March 28, 1928, the son of Mary Kennedy (Marion F. Kennedy) married Mabel Price in Paris, Texas.[13]
• Around 1929, the daughter of Mary Kennedy (Claris Gerenia Kennedy) married Miles Oral Spear (likely in or around Lamar County). Miles Oral Spear died in 1929 and Gerenia Spear never remarried. “She received a bachelor’s and master’s degree from East Texas State University and taught school in Lamar and Knox Counties for 42 years before retiring.”[14]

According to the 1930 Federal Census, the 68 year-old Mary D. Kennedy owed a farm in Precinct #7 of Lamar County, Texas. Born in Texas, the Mary D. Kennedy was living with her 42 year-old daughter Viola Kennedy, her 34 year-old son (daughter) Otie D. Kennedy, her 27 year-old daughter Gennie Spear, her 6 month-old granddaughter Goice Kennedy, and her 22 year-old son Claud L. Kennedy (farmer). All her children and her granddaughter were born in Texas.

• Living in the previous household was the son of Mary Kennedy, the 50 year-old Benjamin E. Kennedy. Born in Texas, Benjamin E. Kennedy was a farmer living with his 44 year-old wife Cuie Kennedy, his 26 year-old son James M. Kennedy, and his 16 year-old daughter Riller O. Kennedy (all born in Texas);
• Living nearby was the son of Mary Kennedy, the 38 year-old Dave H. Kennedy. Born in Texas, Dave H. Kennedy was a farmer living with his 28 year-old wife Lillie H. Kennedy, his 10 year-old son Kenneth D. Kennedy, his 7 year-old son Gerald B. Kennedy, his 6 year-old daughter Clara M. Kennedy, and his 5 month-old son Charles D. Kennedy (all born in Texas);
• Living in the next household was the son of Mary Kennedy, the 40 year-old George L. Kennedy. Born in Texas, George L. Kennedy was a farmer living with his 26 year-old wife Tonnie (Tommie) L. Kennedy, and his 6 year-old son Troy Kennedy (all born in Texas).   

Photo of the youngest son of Mary Kennedy, Claude L. Kennedy, taken in Lamar County, Texas. Copy of photo was provided from the Imogene Kennedy Crossland collection by Darlene Harper.

• On June 3, 1933, the son of Mary Kennedy (Claude L. Kennedy) married Zillia T. Askins in Hugo, Oklahoma.[15]

According to the 1940 Federal Census, the 78 year-old Mary D. Kennedy was living in the home of her daughter Gerenia C. Spear in rural Lamar County, Texas. Born in Texas, Mary D. Kennedy was a widow living with her widowed 37 year-old daughter Gerenia C. Spear (public school teacher), her 12 year-old granddaughter Nita J. Spear, her 50 year-old daughter Viola Kennedy, and her 45 year-old daughter Ollie Kennedy (all born in Texas).

• Living close by was the son of Mary Kennedy, the 60 year-old Eddy B. Kennedy. Born in Texas, Eddy B. Kennedy was a farmer living with his 54 year-old wife Curo (Cuie) Kennedy, and his 26 year-old daughter Rillis Kennedy (librarian);
• Living in the next household was the 51 year-old Curtis Z. Page, brother of Mary Kennedy’s daughter-in-laws Cuie Kennedy (married to son Benjamin E. Kennedy) and Mary Florence Kennedy (married to son Daniel E. Kennedy). Born in Texas, Curtis Z. Page was a farmer living with his 39 year-old wife Dearie Page, his 17 year-old son Lester S. Page, his 9 year-old son Billey Page, and his 48 year-0old brother Porter Page (would marry Mary D. Kennedy’s daughter Ollie);
• Living close by was the son of Mary Kennedy, the 48 year-old David H. Kennedy. Born in Texas, David H. Kennedy was a farmer living with his 38 year-old wife Lillie H. Kennedy, his 20 year-old son David K. Kennedy, his 17 year-old son Gerald B. Kennedy, his 16 year0old son Clevis M. Kennedy, his 10 year-old son Charles D. Kennedy and his 7 month-old son Glenn M. Kennedy;
• Living close by was the son of Mary Kennedy, the 32 year-old Claud L. Kennedy. Born in Texas, Claud L. Kennedy was a mechanic living with his 30 year-old wife Zillia T. Kennedy, and his two year-old son Lonnie Kennedy;
• Living nearby was the son of Mary Kennedy, the 58 year-old Dan S. Kennedy. Born in Texas, Dan S. Kennedy was retired and living with his 54 year-old wife Mary F. Kennedy.  

Photo of two daughters of Mary Kennedy, Ollie Desire Kennedy and Gerenia Spear with Gerenia’s daughter (Nita Joyce Spear) in the middle. Photo was taken about 1940 and copy provided by Darlene Harper.

Photo of Mary Kennedy from the Imogene Kennedy Crossland collection and provided by Darlene Harper.

On April 4, 1944, the 82 year-old Mary D. Kennedy died due to a cerebral hemorrhage (related to her cardiovascular disease) in Cunningham, Texas. She was born in Texas on February 8, 1862; and was buried in Woodard Cemetery. All that was known about Mary D. Kennedy’s parents was her father’s last name was Decker and her mother’s last name was Howe (see below).

Texas Certificate of Death for Mary D. Kennedy dated April 4, 1944.

Photo of the living children George Washington Kennedy and his wife Mary Kennedy. From left to right are Lula Kyle, Dan Kennedy, Viola Kennedy, Lee Kennedy, Ollie Page, Dave Kennedy, Sophronia Puckett, Claude Kennedy, and Gerenia Spear. The picture was taken in 1949 in Lamar County, Texas. Copy provided by Bill Crossland.

• Prior to 1950, the daughter of George Washington Kennedy (Ollie Desire Kennedy) married Porter Scott Page (likely in Lamar or Red River County). Porter Scott Page was the brother of Cuie Page (wife of Ollie’s brother Benjamin E. Kennedy) and Mary Florence Page (wife of Ollie’s brother Daniel Kennedy).[16]
• On December 23, 1950, the 69 year-old son of George Washington Kennedy (Daniel Kennedy) died of a self-inflicted shotgun wound at his home in the rural community of Deport in Lamar County, Texas.[17] His 59 year-old wife Mary Florence Kennedy had died on June 3, 1946.

Photo of the son of George Washington Kennedy, Daniel E. Kennedy with his wife Mary taken in 1946. Copy provided by Bill Crossland.

• On October 10, 1952, the 84 year-old daughter of George Washington Kennedy (Viola Kennedy) “was killed instantly when she was struck by a car Friday morning at 7:30 in Blossom”. Viola Kennedy had never married and was buried in Woodard Cemetery.[18]

Gravestones:

George Washington Kennedy and his wife Mary Kennedy are buried in the Woodard Cemetery in the rural unincorporated community of Minter in Lamar County, Texas. The cemetery is located on County Road 16120, about 6.4 miles north of the town of Cunningham. Other relatives buried in the small cemetery included their daughter Viola Kennedy and Ollie Desire Page; and George Washington Kennedy’s brother Benjamin Franklin Kennedy.

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[1] “Hiram Kennedy, Preacher and Soldier“, The Paris News (Paris Texas), February 28, 1935, Page 6;  “Horse Carried Father and Son to War” The Paris News (Paris, Texas) dated June 11, 1935, Page 4; “George W. and Mary (Mollie) Decker Kennedy” by Imogene Kennedy Crossland, Elzora Bell and Alex Watson and all related families compiled by Cassie Watson Cook, Page 124.

[2] Texas Certificate of Death for Benjamin Elda Kennedy dated July 20, 1947.

[3] Texas Certificate of Death for Mary D. Kennedy dated April 4, 1944.

[4] “George W. and Mary (Mollie) Decker Kennedy” by Imogene Kennedy Crossland, Elzora Bell and Alex Watson and all related families compiled by Cassie Watson Cook, Page 124.

[5] Form D, Widow’s Application for Pension (Confederate) for Mrs. Desire Malone filed July 17, 1911.

[6] “George W. and Mary (Mollie) Decker Kennedy” by Imogene Kennedy Crossland, Elzora Bell and Alex Watson and all related families compiled by Cassie Watson Cook, Page 124.

[7] “George W. and Mary (Mollie) Decker Kennedy” by Imogene Kennedy Crossland, Elzora Bell and Alex Watson and all related families compiled by Cassie Watson Cook, Page 124.

[8] “Intermarriage of The George Kennedy and The Elah Page Family” by Imogene Kennedy Crossland, Elzora Bell and Alex Watson and all related families compiled by Cassie Watson Cook, Page 125.

[9] Texas Select County Marriage Index (1837-1965).

[10] Franklin County (Texas) Marriage Record (1875-1095), Document #MR-1991-4611; Texas Certificate of Death for Mary Sophronia Puckett dated July 16, 1976; Obituary for Mrs. Mary Sophronia Puckett, The Paris News (Paris, Texas) dated July 16, 1976, Page 9.

“Mrs. Mary Sophronia Puckett, 77, who lived at 409 South Howison, died at her residence at 6 a.m. Friday. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Bogata Funeral Home. Mrs. Puckett was born Dec. 3, 1898, in Cunningham, a daughter of George and Mary (Becker) Kennedy. She married Dave Puckett, who survives, on July 28, 1917, in Mount Vernon. She had lived in Red River County for the past 57 years and was a member of the Bogata Church of Christ. Other than her husband, survivors include five sons, Gaston Puckett of Bogata, Jasper Puckett of Paris, C. A. Puckett and Jerrell Lynn Puckett, both of Norman, Okla. and George L. Puckett of Mesquite; one sister, Mrs. Gerniea Stear of Pampa, Tex.; two brothers, Marion Kennedy of Paris and Claud Kennedy of Cunningham; 16 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.”

[11] Obituary for David Hiram Kennedy, The Paris News (Paris, Texas) dated August 28, 1960, Page 6.

“David Hiram Kennedy, 1335 West Austin Street, passed away at St. Joseph’s Hospital Saturday morning at 11:45. Kennedy was born March 8, 1892, at Cunningham. He is the son of the late G. W. Kennedy and Mary Decker Kennedy. He married Lillie Hester Bays on December 22, 1918, at Cunningham. They lived in Cunningham until 1953 when they moved to Dallas. They later moved back to Paris in 1957 and had made their home here since. Kennedy was a retired farmer and carpenter.

Funeral services will be held Monday at 10 a.m. at Fry-Gibbs Funeral Chapel. .They will be conducted by Hubert Roach, minister of the West Paris Church of Christ. Albert Roach, minister of Deport Church of Christ, will assist. Interment will be at Cunningham Cemetery. Survivors include his wife; one daughter, Mrs. E. M. Jordan of Fort Worth: three sons, Geral Kennedy of Paris, Charles D. Kennedy of Sherman and Glenn M. Kennedy of Dallas; six grandchildren; four sisters, Mrs. Ed Kyle of Paris, Mrs. Dave Puckett of Bogata, Mrs. Porter Page of Paris and Mrs. Gerenia Spears of Knox City, Texas: two brothers, Marion Kennedy of Fort Worth and Claude Kennedy of Cunningham.”

[12] Texas Certificate of Death of George L. Kennedy dated October 14, 1954; Obituary for Lee Kennedy, The Paris News (Paris, Texas) dated October 14, 1954, Page 6.

“Lee Kennedy, 64, formerly of Cunningham, died in Dallas Thursday at 1:45 a.m. in the St James Hospital, where he had been employed the past three years. He had been ill about a month and suffered a heart attack. The funeral, Friday at 2 p.m. will be held at Cunningham Church of Christ by Albert Roach of Minter and J. M. Grant Funeral Home of Deport will make burial in Cunningham Cemetery. 

Mr. Kennedy was born in Cunningham, so of the late Mr. and Mrs. George Kennedy, and had farmed there before moving to Dallas. He leaves his wife, the former Miss Tommie Brooks, and two sons, Troy Kennedy and J. R. Kennedy, both of Dallas; two grandchildren and these sisters and brothers: Mrs. Ed Kyle, Paris; Mrs. Gerenia Spear, Blossom; Mrs. Dave Pucket and Mrs. Porter Page, Bogata; Claude Kennedy, Cunningham; Marion Kennedy, Fort Worth; and Dave Kennedy, Dallas.” 

[13] Obituary for Marion F. Kennedy, The Paris News (Paris, Texas) dated March 15, 1977, Page 2; Obituary for Mrs. Mabel Kennedy, The Paris News (Paris, Texas) dated June 15, 1982, Page 5.

“Marion P. Kennedy of 840 S. Main died at his home at 4:30 a.m. Tuesday. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Leverett and Steele Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the residence. Mr. Kennedy was born Feb. 11, 1897, at Cunningham, son of George Kennedy and Mollie Dekker. He was raised in Lamar County and married Mabel Price on Feb. 28, 1928, in Paris. He attended East Texas State University and taught school at the old Frisco School in Lamar County before moving to Fort Worth, where he was an accountant for the Well Machine and Supply Company for many years. They moved back to Lamar County in 1962. Survivors include his wife; one brother, Claud Kennedy of Cunningham; and one sister, Gerenia Spear of Pampa. One son, Charles Franklin Kennedy, preceded him in death in 1953.”

[14] Obituary for Gerenia Spear, The Paris News (Paris, Texas) dated May 25, 1992, Page 2.

“Graveside services for Gerenia Kennedy Spear, 89, of Temple were scheduled for 4 p.m. Monday, May 25, at the Woodard Cemetery near Paris with Haskell England officiating. Burial will be in Woodard Cemetery by Sheffield Funeral home of Temple. Mrs. Spear died Sunday, May 24, in a Temple nursing home. She was born in Scurry County, Texas, near Snyder, a daughter of George and Mary Decker Kennedy. She married Miles Oral Spear who preceded her in death in 1929. She received a bachelor’s and master’s degree from East Texas State University and taught school in Lamar and Knox Counties for 42 years before retiring. She moved to Temple in 1977. She was a member of the Western Hills Church of Christ. Surviving are a daughter Nita Williams, of Temple; two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be made to the Foster Childrens Home of Stephenville.”

[15] Obituary for Claude L. Kennedy, The Paris News (Paris, Texas) dated December 9, 1991, Page 2.

“Claude L. Kennedy, 84, 2280-3rd SE, died Saturday, Dec. 7, at McCuistion Regional Medical Center. Services were scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9, at Bright- Holland Funeral Home Chapel with Haskell England and Dean Kilmer officiating. Burial was in Meadowbrook Cemetery. Mr. Kennedy was born June 5, 1907, in Cutbert, Texas, a son of George W. and Mary Decker Kennedy. He married Zillia T. Asians June 3, 1933, in Hugo, Okla. She died Aug. 24, 1977. He was a retired automobile mechanic and a member of the Church of Christ. Surviving are two sons and daughters-in-law, Benney and Doris Kennedy of Paris and Lonnie and Betty Kennedy of Paris; three grandchildren, Jill Redus and Angle Bean, both of Paris and Kenny Kennedy of Austin; three great-grandchildren, Jade and Billy Kennedy and Colt Redus, and one sister, Gerenia Spears of Temple.”

[16] Obituary for Ollie D. Page, The Paris News (Paris, Texas) dated December 25, 1974, Page 7.

“BOGATA — Mrs. Ollie D. Page, 80, resident of Red River Haven Nursing Home died Tuesday afternoon in McCuistion Medical Center. She was born Sept. 18,1894 near Cunningham, daughter of George W. Kennedy and Mary Decker Kennedy. She was a member of the Church of Christ. Survivors include her husband, Porter Page of Bogata; two sisters, Mrs. Dave Puckett of Bogata; Mrs. Gerinia Spear of Pampa; two brothers, Marion Kennedy of Paris and C. L. Kennedy of Cunningham; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be Friday at-11 a.m. at the Bogata Church of Christ with Bob Parker officiating. Burial will be in the Woodard Cemetery near Cunningham under direction of Bogata Funeral Home. Her nephews will serve as pallbearers.”

[17] Texas Certificate of Death of Dan E. Kennedy dated December 22, 1950; “Find Cunningham Man Dead Friday“, The Paris News (Paris, Texas) dated December 24, 1950, Page 5.

“Deport – Rites for Dan D. Kennedy, 69, a retired merchant of Cunningham, found shot to death Friday, were held Saturday afternoon. Wilburn Whittington, Church of Christ minister in Paris, officiated at Cunningham Baptist Church, and J. M. Grant Funeral Home here made burial in the Cunningham Cemetery. Nephews were pallbearers.

Mr. Kennedy was found dead about 9 o’clock Friday morning at his home. W. H. Thompson of Deport, justice of the peace, held an inquest, returning a verdict of death due to a shotgun wound, self-inflicted.

Born Sept. 1, 1881, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. George Kennedy, he had lived at Cunningham all his life. His wife died several years ago. Surviving are three children. Claude Kennedy, Rt. 3, Deport: Mrs. Cumi Cook, Cunningham, and Mrs. A. L. Crossland, Canyon; seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and these brothers and sisters: Lee Kennedy, Dave Kennedy, and Claude Kennedy, Cunningham; Marlon Kennedy, Fort Worth; Mrs. Porter Page and Mrs. Dave Puckett, Bogata; Mrs. Gerenia Spear and Miss Delia Kennedy, Blossom, and Mrs. Ed Kyle, Paris.”

[18] Texas Certificate of Death of Viola Kennedy dated October 10, 1952. Obituary for Viola Kennedy, The Paris News (Paris, Texas) dated October 12, 1952, Page 2.

“Kennedy Services : Funeral services were held Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Church of Christ at Blossom for Miss Viola Kennedy, 84, of Blossom, who was killed instantly when she was struck by a car Friday morning at 7:30 in Blossom. Leonard Coker, Church of Christ minister, conducted the services and burial was made at Minter by Fry & Gibbs. Pallbearers were Lynn Denton, J. W.. Kincaid, Vollie Coyle, James Rheudasil, Leslie Echols and John Porter.”

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