Juanita Kennedy
July 28, 1920 – March 19, 2022
In the early morning hours of March 19, 2022 our beloved Mom, Juanita Kennedy, entered into her final destination, Heaven’s Pearly Gates. Visitation will be held at Beech Springs Baptist Church Wednesday, March 23, 2022 from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. with services beginning at 10:30 a.m. Presiding will be her grandson, Jason Walsworth, of Temple Baptist Church, Ruston, LA assisted by Rev. Brian McAllister, First Baptist Church, Jonesboro, LA.
She was born July 28, 1920 in Quitman, LA to the union of Elmer Levi Harvey and Lena Nix Harvey. When her four children were young, the phrase “stay-at-home mom” didn’t exist because it was usual for women to stay home while their husbands worked to provide for family needs. Even by the standards of that era, Mom was an exceptional wife and mother, and who cared for her neighbors as well by cooking a dish or making a pie for those who were in need. That was who she was. She was a Christian and member of Beech Springs Baptist Church, Quitman, LA and was active in various aspects of church life.
Mom began her school years at Beech Springs School, Quitman, LA, and transferred her last year of high school, 1936, to Quitman High School to play basketball which she loved. She was a big fan of the Lady Techsters Basketball team and in later years was able to see them play. The last game she attended was in 2019 at the age of 99. She was, also, a fan of listening to basketball games via radio.
December 6, 1936 Mom married Robert Odis Walsworth, Sr. Of this union 4 children were born, Odis, Jr., Brenda, Linda and Donald. In years gone by, several relatives were the owners of dairy farms and together Mom and Dad worked their own dairy. They provided milk and butter to several families. Mom became widowed in June 1963 at age 42, and with her children grown, she began working outside the home taking over Dad’s bus route and working for Old South Life Insurance Co. In 1970 she married a longtime acquaintance, Nathan Kennedy, who was serving in the military. Shortly after he retired, they began traveling in and out of the country and going on mission trips in the states. The highlight of their travels was when they went to China on a mission trip, and later Mom traveled to the Holy Land with her sister-in-law. She lived a full and rewarding life.
Mrs. Kennedy is survived by her children, Odis Walsworth, Jr., Brenda W. Blake (husband John) all of Quitman, LA and Linda W. Hartsfield (husband Kendrick) of Ruston, LA. Grandchildren: Robert Odis Walsworth, III, Quitman, LA; Kevin Koonce, Quitman, LA; Keith Koonce, Ruston LA; Jason Walsworth, Ruston, LA and Lauren Hull, Ruston, LA. Fifteen Great grandchildren: Tiffany Patton, Logan Hartsfield, Adam Hartsfield, Seth Hartsfield, Chase Garrett, Railey Garrett, Ty Garrett, Bradley Koonce, Brittany Koonce, Klay Koonce, Chelsea Alexander, Jalyn Walsworth, Jase Walsworth, Sydney Hull and Myles Hull; Thirteen Great-great grandchildren; Sisters, Lurline Kennedy, Elaine Blalock Turner; Daughter-in-Law, Carole Walsworth Carson (husband, Francis).
Prededing Mrs. Kennedy in death were her parents, Elmer and Lena Harvey; first husband, Robert Odis Walsworth, Sr; her son, Donald Lee Walsworth; second husband, Nathan Kennedy; daughter-in-law, Shelba Walsworth; infant brother, E. L. Harvey, Jr.; sister, Margaret Conn.
Serving as pallbearers for Mrs. Walsworth will be Kevin Koonce, Keith Koonce, Robert Odis Walsworth, III, TYrae Hartsfield, Logan Hartsfield, Klay Koonce.
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