Anita Knight Kennedy

January 5, 1930 - December 15, 2018

Anita Knight Kennedy, 88, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones on Saturday, December 15, 2018. Born in the Pearce Chapel Community on January 5, 1930, she was a daughter of Virgil and Era Mae Knight. Anita was a graduate of Smithville High School with the Class of 1947. She then obtained her degree from Draughon’s Business College in 1948 before beginning work at the office of Woolworth’s Dept. Store in Jackson, MS. She married her sweetheart and best friend, E.M. Kennedy, on August 20, 1949, and together they raised a close-knit family. Anita was a life-long Baptist, and a member of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church. Her faith and love for Jesus guided her in her every day life. In her free time, Anita enjoyed quilting, reading, and spending time with her family. She was a talented seamstress and also enjoyed going to browse flea markets. Additionally, she loved to listen to Bluegrass Gospel and Southern Hymns. Anita was a very special lady who will be dearly missed by her loved ones. Her family takes comfort in knowing that she is safely home with her Lord and Savior. Anita is survived by her daughters, Gloria Conwill, Amory, Kathy Russell, Greenwood Springs, Patricia Parker (Randy), Smithville; sons, Freddie Kennedy, Baldwyn, Harold Kennedy (Amy), Cincinnati, OH; grandchildren, Kelli Kimbrough (Daniel), Kerri Wood (Kelly), Jennifer Tillman (Jeremy), Amanda Garner, Andrew Conwill, Taylor Kennedy, Carl Parker (Krystle), Alex Parker (Hollye), April Rinehart, Lindsey Gresham (John), Sara Steinkamp, Ben Steinkamp; sisters, Nina Morrison, Smithville, Glenda Holloway, Amory; brother, Lawrence Knight; 18 great grandchildren; 24 nieces and nephews; and special friend, Mary Beth West. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Eldried M. Kennedy; sisters, Nelda Boozer, Laura Jane Knight; brothers, Dewey Lee Knight Sr., Hubert Wayne Knight; grandson, Jeffrey Scott Kennedy; nephew, Howard Boozer; nieces, Annie Tignor, Shauna Edwards; and daughter-in-law, Vickie Kennedy. A funeral service for Anita will be held at 11AM Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at E.E. Pickle Funeral Home in Amory. Bro. Jeremy Tillman will lead the service. Burial will follow at Bethlehem Cemetery in Greenwood Springs. Pallbearers will include David Boozer, Andrew Conwill, Randy Parker, Carl Parker, Alex Parker, Michael Knight, and Daniel Kimbrough. Honorary pallbearers are Kelly Wood and Dewey Lee Knight Jr. Visitation will be from 5-8PM, Monday, December 17, 2018 at the funeral home. Please feel free to share memories and condolences may with her family at EEPickleFuneralHome.com.