Etta Fay Hendrix Kennedy

Etta Fay Hendrix Kennedy was born February 2, 1924 in Bethel Springs, TN and passed away on February 6, 2017. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Selmer. She was the oldest daughter of the late Carlos and Lena Hendrix. Etta grew up on her family's farm in Bethel Springs, TN, where she learned to work hard, be responsible and take care of her family. Etta became a Christian and member of Buena Vista Methodist Church in Bethel Springs early in life.

In 1946 she married Bob Kennedy and moved to Selmer. She was a wonderful Christian, wife and mother who filled those roles to the best of her ability, always putting others above herself. "Homemaker" was her perfect title. Since childhood until Mr. Bob died in 2009, she cooked a full breakfast, complete with homemade biscuits, each morning. Their home was one with lots of activity and seemed to always be full of family and friends dropping by, who were always invited to the family table at mealtime. The Hendrix and Kennedy families were large and her world revolved around them all.

Etta also enjoyed gardening, sewing, gospel music, and spending most of her time at home. It was her favorite place to be. Another favorite place for her was West Shiloh Baptist Church where you could find the family every service during the children's growing up years.

As the years passed, she and Mr. Bob became interested in attending auctions and buying old things to furnish their home. This lead to a love of antiques and what would become a part-time business for them at Kennedy's Antiques in downtown Selmer. Etta enjoyed to the fullest this experience of making new acquaintances and exploring her newly found interest. The McNairy County Independent Appeal ran an article during this time bestowing on Etta the title "Picture Frame Lady" because of all the old picture frames she restored and sold. Within the last year of her life, she restored her last frame for her much loved Dr. Ryan Bartz.

She is survived by her children: Nelda Kennedy McCune and husband Rick of Jackson, TN, David Kennedy and wife Donna, Mark Kennedy and wife Jeanne, Ralph Kennedy and wife Tami all of Selmer, TN; ten grandchildren: Jim Harrison of Knoxville, TN, Andy Harrison of Jackson, TN, Kirby Kennedy and wife Brittany of Savannah, TN, Emily Davis and husband Phillip, Matthew Kennedy and wife Jessica all of Selmer, TN, Josh Kennedy of Jackson, TN, Luke Kennedy of Memphis, TN, Zach Kennedy, Will Kennedy and Molly Kennedy all of Selmer, TN; eight great grandchildren: Grant Harrison, Jack Harrison both of Knoxville, TN, Seth Harrison, Nathan Harrison, Kinleigh Harrison all of Jackson, TN, Harbor Kennedy of Savannah, TN, Bain Davis and Cooper Kennedy both of Selmer, TN; a sister, Alice Johnson of Mablevale, AR; two brothers, Tom Hendrix and wife Sherry of Counce, TN, Ray Hendrix and wife Loretta of Bethel Springs, TN; and a host of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Kennedy was preceded in death by an infant daughter; a sister, Roslyn Ray; two brothers, Hoover and Carlton Hendrix; and two infant sisters, Peggy and Johnnie Hendrix.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 from 5:30 pm until 8 pm with services on Wednesday at 11 am all held at Shackelford Funeral Directors in Selmer, TN, with Jerry Woods and Joey Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in the West Shiloh Cemetery at Stantonville, TN.

The family appreciates the loving caregivers; Dr. Bartz, Monica Robinson of Legacy Hospice and the staff of McNairy County Healthcare.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Selmer Building Fund.