Susan Hovis Kennedy

Ms. Susan Hovis Kennedy, 85, passed away Sunday, December 17, 2023, at Pruitt Health Union Point Skilled Nursing in Monroe, NC.

A longtime resident of Durham County, Ms. Kennedy was born August 7, 1938, to the late William and Mary Hovis in Charlotte, North Carolina. She graduated from Central High School, Class of 1956, in Charlotte. Ms. Kennedy was also a graduate of Queens College in Charlotte, earning a Bachelor of Arts, Class of 1960. She was a teacher and taught Home Economics at Alexander Graham Junior High School in Charlotte, North Carolina in the early 1960’s. After marrying Joseph E. Kennedy, Jr. in 1964, the couple initially moved to Georgia before settling and building a life in Durham. Ms. Kennedy was an administrative assistant for many years with State Farm Insurance, St. Lawrence Homes, and Key Homes. She was a long-time member of a bridge group which started in the Parkwood subdivision in Durham approximately fifty years ago. Ms. Kennedy attended Parkwood United Methodist Church for many years and enjoyed singing in the choir. Most recently, she was a member of Duke Memorial United Methodist Church.

In addition to her parents, Ms. Kennedy is preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Joseph E. Kennedy, Jr.; brother, William “Bill” Newton Hovis, Jr.; and sister, Mary Ann Hovis Kirkpatrick Stillwell.

Ms. Kennedy is survived by her sons, Joseph “Jay” Everett Kennedy, III (Susan) of Charlotte, North Carolina, Todd P. Kennedy (Rachel) of Pikeville, Kentucky; and grandchildren, Justin Kennedy, Morgan Kennedy, Drew Kennedy, and Jackson Kennedy.

Visitation will be held from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. at Few Chapel in Croasdaile Village, 2600 Croasdaile Farm Parkway, Durham, NC. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. Officiating will be Rev. Laurie Hays-Coffman and Rev. Jennifer Ingold Asbill. Burial will follow at Maplewood Cemetery in Section 2.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Croasdaile Village Employee Appreciation Fund, checks made payable to “CVRA/EAGF” and sent to Croasdaile Village, Attn: CVRA/EAGF, 2600 Croasdaile Farm Parkway, Durham, NC 27705. Memorial contributions may also be directed to Duke Memorial United Methodist Church, 504 W. Chapel Hill Street, Durham, NC 27701.