Helen I. Kennedy

February 21, 1933 - July 18, 2018

Helen I. Kennedy, age 85, of Grove, OK went to be with her Lord on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at her home, after a long illness. Helen was born on February 21, 1933 to Edward and Elsie (Cunningham) Gillenwaters in Weir, KS, where she grew up and graduated from high school. She went on to attend Pittsburg State University and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Helen taught business classes at both Dewey High School and Nowata High School. On December 5, 1953, Helen married the love of her life, Edwin Kennedy, in Miami, OK. The couple lived in Weir, KS and then Miami, OK and later moved to Longview, TX, where Helen continued her teaching career at a business college in Marshall, TX. Helen was a devoted follower and a faithful servant to the Lord. She taught many Sunday School classes, Vacation Bible School classes and served at many church camps. No doubt, many children’s lives were influenced for Christ because of Helen’s dedication. In 1997, the couple moved from Marshall, TX to Grove to retire. Helen was an active member of Trinity Baptist Church, volunteered at the Christian H.E.L.P. Center and the Christian Thrift Store as long as her health would permit. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, 2 brothers, 2 sisters and one son-in-law. Left to cherish her memory: husband, Edwin Kennedy of the home; daughter, Ronda Ogden of Joplin, MO and son, Gregg Kennedy and wife, Lisa, of Oklahoma City, OK; sister, Maxine Short of Marshall, MO; grandchildren, Dustin Briscoe and wife, Chasity; Rachael Miranda and husband, Michael and Riley Kennedy and great grandson, Dylan Briscoe and many loving nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held at a later date.