Dorothy Lee Kennedy

The Governor of South Carolina advises to limit public gatherings to 50 guests or less to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Smith Funeral Home of Florence, LLC carefully considered this recommendation and ask that additional guest please participate via live-streaming if it is authorized by the family.

A Private Funeral Service for Mrs. Dorothy Lee “Dot” Kennedy will be conducted 1:00 PM Friday, July 17, 2020 at J. O. & Annette Smith Memorial Chapel, 307 S. Johns St., Florence, SC. Interment will follow in Florence National Cemetery, directed by Smith Funeral Home of Florence, LLC.

Mrs. Dorothy Lee “Dot” Kennedy, daughter of the late Chalmus Slater and Carrie Gilbert, was born on March 3, 1934, in Florence County. She departed this life on Monday, July 13, 2020, after an extended illness. “Dot” as she was affectionately called, was educated in the Florence County Public Schools. She was employed by and retired from Theresa’s Rest Home of Florence, where she worked for more than 20 years.

At an early age, Dot was a member of Antioch Baptist Church in Timmonsville, South Carolina.

Dot was joined in marital bliss to the late James Kennedy and to this union thirteen children were born. Dot was a well-respected, hard-working, woman of strength. She was a devoted mother and grandmother who loved spending time with her family, cooking, baking, and traveling. Dot was known throughout the community for her loving and giving spirit. She considered her friends and neighbors as family and was always eager to be of help. Those closest to her may remember her as a woman of few words, but the words she spoke were words of wisdom and love.

Dot was preceded in death by her husband, James Kennedy; parents, Chalmus Slater and Carrie Gilbert; mother and father-in-law, Leroy and Mattie Kennedy; one sister, Irene Brown; a brother, James Gilbert; four sons, Vernell Kennedy, Lawrence Kennedy, Herbert Kennedy, and Elijah Kennedy; two daughters, Louise Muldrow and Dorothy Mae Kennedy; one son-in-law, Troy Rush; two grandsons, James L. Kennedy and Dwayne Kennedy; and a brother-in-law, Arthur Brown. Left to cherish fond memories of Dot’s quiet strength and love are: five daughters, Jeanette Kennedy, Elizabeth Kennedy, Mary Alice Rush, Celestine Kennedy and Marie Hicks all of Florence, South Carolina; two sons, Oral Kennedy and David Kennedy both of Florence, South Carolina; twenty-five grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; one daughter-in-law, Mary Elizabeth Kennedy of Timmonsville, South Carolina; two sisters-in-law, Hallie Wright, of Baltimore, Maryland and Grace Gilbert of Philadelphia; a special friend, Theresa Sanderford; and a host of nephews; nieces; cousins; and other relatives; and friends.

Please keep the family of Dorothy Lee Kennedy in your thoughts and prayers.

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