Neva Love Kennedy

© Enid News and Eagle

02-03-2008

Submitted by: Jo Aguirre

© Glenn

Funeral services for Neva Kennedy, 92, former resident of Lamont, Oklahoma, will be at 2 p.m. February 5, 2008, in the Lamont Methodist Church, with the Rev. Michael Brannon and the Rev. Kevin Watson officiating. Burial will follow in the Lamont Cemetery, northwest of Lamont. Arrange-ments are under the direction of Anderson Funeral Home, of Tonkawa.

She was born November 16, 1915, on a farm near Fargo, Oklahoma to Homer R. and Lella (Calloway) Love and died Friday, February 1, 2008, at her home in Tonkawa.

She was the first in a family of five children. She attended Enterprise rural grade school, one year at Tangier High School, and graduated from Fargo High School in 1933. She attended Northwestern State College at Alva, Okla-homa for two years. It was there that she met her future husband, George O. Kennedy. They were united in marriage on April 25, 1936. After receiving their teaching certificates from Northwestern State College, she and George began their teaching careers in western Oklahoma. Neva taught at Peace rural grade school, while George taught at an adjoining school. In later years she would tell of the delights and trials of that first year as a young teacher, including being “snowed in” for two days and a night with all her students during a blizzard; and giving hair cuts to students who could not otherwise afford them.

The next year Neva stayed home to care for their new baby, Eldon, and the following term she taught at Enterprise, which she had attended as a child. They then moved to Carrier, where George taught, and then to a farm between Hunter and Lamont. Neva spent five more years in public education, teaching at a rural school near Morrison, OK, Banner rural school in Grant County, and Lamont Elemen-tary School. By that time two more children had joined the family so she left the classroom to devote her life to raising her family, and helping her husband on the farm while he continued to teach in surrounding schools. She felt much satisfaction in her teaching career, and maintained a life-long interest in the joys and sorrows of her former students. She was a busy and efficient wife and mother who delighted in caring for her husband, children, and home. She loved to sew and cook, and took pride in preparing delicious meals for her family and guests. She was a willing helper in her husband’s farming activities, driving the wheat truck and serving meals in the field during harvest, and going after repairs as needed. She instilled in her children the value of hard work, honesty, and thrift.

She was a long-time member of the Salt Fork Com-munity Club, Salt Fork Exten-sion Club, and a member of the Grant County Extension Homemaker’s Council, serving as president in 1967-1968. She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Lamont, where she was a Sunday school teacher for 20 years, served on the administrative council, was president of UMW, and spent many hours preparing for the annual UMW bazaar. “Many people will remember the delicious apple dumplings which she like to prepare for that event!” In 1975, Neva and George left the farm moving to Lamont, where they were active in the Lamont Senior Citizen’s organization and other volunteer work. Follow-ing George’s death in 1984, Neva became involved, through NODA, in a program in which she provided transportation and assistance to other senior citizens. She greatly enjoyed this activity and continued with it until well into her 80s, when her own failing health forced her retirement.

Neva is survived by her children, Eldon Kennedy and wife Marilyn, of Lamont; Nevona Kegans Bossert and her husband Art, Tonkawa, Ron Kennedy and wife Pat, Carthage, MO; her sister, Jean Eagon Harper and husband Howard, Woodward, OK; eight grandchildren, Chip Kennedy, Chuck Kennedy, Marci Brown and her husband Bryan, Tom Kennedy and his wife Erin, Rick Kennedy and his wife Chris, Tricia Mixon and her husband Guy, Tracy McAreav-ey and her husband Todd, and Travis Kegans and his wife Richanne; 13 great-grandchildren; and many nephews, nieces and friends.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Lee Love, and two sisters, Beulah Donle, and Opal Wise.

Memorials may be made to the Lamont United Methodist Church or the Lamont Senior Citizens Center through Anderson Funeral Home, P. O. Box 337, Tonkawa, OK 74653.

Visitation will be 1-4 p.m. today and 8 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. Monday. The family will receive friends at the funeral home 1-4 p.m. this afternoon.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.funeralplan.com/andersonfh.

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