Juanita Foote Kennedy

Juanita Foote Kennedy, a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on September 8, 2026, in Selmer, Tennessee. She was 97 years old.

Juanita was born on April 1, 1929, in Cleveland, Tennessee, to the late William Edwin and Quixie Anna Brandon Foote. In 1947, she married Marvin Dee Kennedy, Sr., with whom she shared many years of marriage before his passing on July 1, 1976.

Juanita was a longtime member of Lakeview Baptist Church in Selmer, Tennessee. She was a woman who found joy in the simple and beautiful things in life. She loved making jellies and canning, reading romance novels, and tending to her beloved flowers, especially roses and African violets. She delighted in watching cardinals and hummingbirds and could often be found enjoying the beauty of nature around her.

Juanita also had a deep love for her family and a passion for preserving its history. An avid genealogist, she devoted countless hours to researching her family ancestry and ultimately published a book about her family, leaving behind a treasured piece of their history for generations to come. Above all, she cherished her grandchildren and the time she shared with her family.

Throughout her life, Juanita worked as a secretary in West Charleston, South Carolina. She also worked at Krispy Kreme Doughnuts in Charleston and sold AVON. She was a hardworking woman who embraced each chapter of her life with determination and grace.

Juanita’s memory will be lovingly cherished by her son, James Warren Serad and husband Jimmy of Selmer, Tennessee; daughter, Angela Dawn Kennedy of Tuscumbia, Alabama; grandchildren, Jonathan Dee Kennedy, Selina Hope Kennedy, Tina Marie Kennedy, and James Allen Kennedy; great-grandchildren, Dillon Christopher Wallis (Christie Lynn), Hunter Blake Taylor (Taylor H. Bustamante), Alison Paige Howard, Cameron Blaine Kennedy, and Kyle Lee Hembree; great-great-grandchildren, Isaac Lynn Wallis, Addison Taylor Dove, Carlee Jane Taylor, Charlotte Rose Taylor, Mia Blake Taylor, and Cullen Beau Taylor; along with a host of extended family and dear friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, Juanita was preceded in death by her daughter, Lillian Ann Kennedy; sons, Allen Fred Kennedy and Marvin “Dee” Kennedy, Jr.; sisters, Frances McCullar, Barbara Jernigan, and Patricia Swinney; and brothers, William Foote and James “Buddy” Foote.

Juanita leaves behind a beautiful legacy of love, family, faith, and memories that will be treasured for generations. Her love for her family, her appreciation for the beauty around her, and the history she worked so diligently to preserve will remain a lasting part of the lives she touched. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew her.

Private family visitation and service will be held with interment at Oak Hill Cemetery in Selmer, TN.