Marie Lorene Kennedy

Marie Lorene Tutor Kennedy went home to be with her Savior on January 30, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. at the age of 93. Marie could not recover from the pneumonia that invaded her body. Born on October 14, 1916, Marie was the 8th of 10 children born to Jessie and Mae Tutor. Marie’s family moved to Elmore City, Oklahoma in the 1920s, where she lived until 2008. At a young age, Marie accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and has sought to honor Him throughout her life. Growing up in the Great Depression, as a daughter of sharecroppers, Marie learned the value of hard work and never wasted anything that might come in handy later. In 1937, Marie married O. W. “Heavy” Kennedy, and they had four children: Pat, Jerry, Tony, and Ann Marie. In the 1970s after raising her family, Marie went to work at the State School in Pauls Valley. Marie served faithfully in various roles at First Baptist Church, Elmore City for over 70 years. She loved her church family and especially her pastor. During this time Marie was blessed to travel around the country with the Baptist YWA (Acteens) groups that she sponsored. Although she loved both her work and her church, Marie’s greatest joy was her family. Even in young adulthood, Marie began leaving a legacy by raising her children to love the Lord. She was affectionately known as “Aunt Reedy” by dozens of nieces and nephews. As her children married and grandchildren arrived, Marie became forever known as “Meme” to her immediate family. Her grandchildren have fond memories of waking early to help her cut biscuits and fry the bacon for big family breakfasts. In 2007, Marie’s husband and lifelong companion, Heavy passed away at the age of 90, just a few days before their 70th anniversary. She moved to Edmond in June 2008 to be closer to her children and grandchildren and enjoyed attending church at First Baptist Edmond with them. Marie is survived by her sons: Pat and his wife Iverna of Blair; Jerry and his wife Ruth of Watonga; Tony and his wife Sheryl of Edmond; and daughter Ann Bleything and her husband George of Edmond. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren and their spouses and 19 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband Heavy and grandson Bill Kennedy. Marie’s vivacious and outgoing personality endeared her to many throughout her life. She will be dearly missed by the multitude of family and friends. We look forward to the day that we will see her again before the throne of God, where she is rejoicing with her Savior even now. Funeral services for Marie are scheduled for Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. in the Elmore City First Baptist Church with Dr. Bruce McCray officiating. Interment will be in the Elmore City Cemetery under the direction of Wooster Funeral Home. The family requests memorials be made to the Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children, 3800 N. May Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73112-6506. You may send a condolence to the family at www.woosterfuneralhomes.com.

Marie Lorene Kennedy

October 14, 1916 - January 30, 2010