Mrs. Maude Eulalia Kennedy, one of Marion County's oldest surviving public schoolteachers died April 10, 2010 in Jefferson, Texas following a lengthy illness. Ms Maude Kennedy taught school in Texas and Louisiana for 30 years. She graduated from Vivian High School and began teaching at Potter's Point (all seven grades) even before graduating from Commerce College. She taught at the Potter, Hartzo and Gray schools. Besides teaching the 3Rs she also played softball, drove some of her students to the Atlanta Radio station where they sang and directed plays. Many of the students joking say the reason they are so smart is because they heard the first, second and third grade lessons since they were all in one room. She drilled her students in writing, making them practice over and over. Consequently most of them have beautiful penmanship. She loved and influenced many, many lives giving praise and confidence to all she taught. She married Alfred Kennedy June 1941 and Gulf transferred him to Buras, Louisiana. Ms. Maude taught in Buras. They retired in Gray, Texas. Ms Maude was a member of the United Methodist Church in Marshall, Tx and attended Smithland Methodist Church and Gray Baptist Church. Over the years Ms. Maude has been honored with proclamations from the President of the United States and Governors from Texas and Louisiana. She was also presented a Texas flag that had been flown at the state capitol. Gray Community honored her as the Grand Marshall in the parade in 2000, and she rode in a horse drawn carriage. Even when Ms. Maude was in the Magnolia Manor Nursing Home in Jefferson, she had ladies sitting with her and she said to them, "Children take out your readers and turn to page 20." She was born to teach. Her husband Alfred Kennedy who died in November of 1976 preceded Ms. Kennedy.Surviving Ms. Maude "our auntie" is her very special niece, Gwendolyn Bourne Comer and great nephew, Allen Livingston IV. Other survivors include nieces, nephews, former students and many friends. Services will be Tuesday April 13, 2010 at 10AM at Rose-Neath -Vivian Chapel with Rev: Wayne Shew pastor of Gray Baptist Church officiating assisted by Rev: George Roberts pastor of Hartzo Pentecostal Church. Burial will follow at Core Cemetery in Gray, Texas. Visitation will be on Monday, April 12, 2010 from 6-8pm at Rose-Neath Vivian.Honoring Ms. Maude as pallbearers will be David Comer, James Martin, Allan Whatley, Scott Whatley, Cody Martin and T.J. Martin. Honorary pallbearers will be Allen Livingston IV, Clint Whatley, Michael Comer, Dylan Comer, Billy Wilson and George Whatley.Memorials may be made to the Gray Baptist Church Building Fund.

Rose-Neath Funeral Home

Vivian, La. 318.375.3011

Published April 12, 2010 on Rose-Neath website.