We are sad to share that our mom, Geneva Kennedy, passed away unexpectedly on February 12, 2024. She was born November 10, 1931 in Osgood, Indiana to her late parents Paul and Norma (Pendergast) Black. She grew up on a farm on the outskirts of Versailles Indiana, graduated from Versailles High School in 1949, and lived in Versailles until her passing at 92 years of age.
Geneva single handedly raised her four children, Jenetta, Bill, Greg, and Mark; teaching them through example the meaning of hard work and persistence. Having worked at various local businesses as a young mother, Geneva eventually retired from her role as custodian after 20 years of service at South Ripley School Corporation. Having worked tirelessly her entire life, she was passionate in her belief that you earn your own way.
Geneva was a devoted Christian, and a faithful 70-year member of the Versailles Baptist Church. Her love for her 4 children, 7 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren was only surpassed by her love for her Lord. She prayed daily for her family and ended every phone call and visit from them with a simple “I love you”. Her favorite bible verse was John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”, sharing with her grandson Stephen that she thought that one verse pretty much summed up the entire bible.
A close third to her faith and family was her love for sports. She followed the Purdue Boilermakers, Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, and the South Ripley Raiders. If she wasn’t tuned into a sporting event, she passed her time reading, working jigsaw puzzles, playing cards, or watching a reality TV show or Hallmark movie.
Geneva never owned a home nor had a large bank account; however, her life was richly filled with family and friends. She enjoyed many vacations with her children and grandchildren, travelling throughout the US, and also visited Japan and England. She regularly reached out to her church family with a card or a phone call recognizing birthdays and wedding anniversaries, and never let an immediate family member’s birthday pass without a phone call.
She enjoyed sharing chocolate with her great-grandchildren and church family, keeping the two fruit and vegetable bins of her refrigerator filled with various bags of candy. She saw that the candy dish at the church remained full, and would send her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids off with a bag of candy after each visit. Even so, her sweet demeanor exceeded the sweet treats she enjoyed sharing.
In today’s divisive world, Geneva was the opposite… always present with a prayer, a kind word, a hug, a word of encouragement, and when needed a call to action. It is frequently stated by others that they never heard her speak bad about someone, and likewise never heard anyone speak poorly of her.
Geneva was preceded in death by her parents and 13 siblings. She will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by her children, Jenetta Corey, Versailles, Bill (Mary) Kennedy, Carmel, Greg (Deb Dausmann) Kennedy, Cypress, TX, Mark (Rosena) Kennedy, Batesville. She is also survived by her grandchildren Stephen (Miranda) Kennedy, Christopher Kennedy, Jonathon (Jenna) Kennedy, Nicholas (Sarah) Kennedy, Andrew (Kasi) Kennedy, Rachel (Jason) LaJeunesse, and Alina (Caleb) Henson; and great grandchildren Aurora Kennedy, Matthew Kennedy, Brooklyn Kennedy, Oliver Lajeunesse, Larkyn Kennedy, Molly LaJeunesse, Hugo Kennedy, Wren Kennedy, Charles Kennedy; and sibling Shirla Jones. In addition, she leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews and other extended family.
A memorial visitation for family and friends will be held at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home on Friday, February 16, 2024, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm; and on Saturday, February 17, 2024 from 10:00 am until the time of the Celebration of Life at 11:00 am at Versailles Baptist Church. Memorial contributions can be made to Versailles Baptist Church or Cliff Hill Cemetery in care of the funeral home.