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Lois Tullos Kennedy passed away, after a brief illness, on Wednesday, April 22. She was surrounded by loved ones who held her hands and blessed her life. She was an example of unconditional love, strong faith, and deep belief. One of four strong and beautiful daughters of the Tullos family, she married the love of her life, Fred Kennedy. Together they traveled the world but their home in Magee was the center of a large extended family that celebrated every holiday and occasion with joy and gladness at their home. Their daughter, Donna, was the focus of their unconditional love and support. After successful careers in business, their priorities were their beloved grandchildren, Jay Sones, Ken Sones, and Megan Sones Clapton. Donna and her children were the recipients of their time, their love and their attention.
Lois showered those around her with absolute devotion shown through innumerable delicious meals and times around her table. She hosted so many happy occasions for family and friends. Every holiday or special moment was a reason for celebrating and giving thanks to God and for family.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Fred Kennedy and her sisters, Pauline Allen and Gladys Rogers.
Along with her daughter, Donna Barksdale and her husband, Jim, she leaves behind her grandchildren: Jay Sones, Ken and Suzanne Sones and family and Marty and Megan Clapton. She adored and cherished her great grandchildren, Julienne, Josie and Ford Sones.
She is also leaving behind her beloved sister, Lorene Mangum of Hattiesburg and her family, Wayne and Melinda Ross and children and John and Robin Bonn and family; her nephew, Ted Allen of Magee, his wife, Jean and family, Ted Pruitt Allen and boys and Dennis and Allyson Berch and children
Meme’s sweet spirit, kindness and unwavering love will live on in the hearts of those who felt her unconditional love and her foundation of belief in God. Her influence and friendship will always be missed by her extended family, Sunday School friends at First Baptist, State Farm family and countless others.
Visitation will be held in the chapel of First Baptist Church in Jackson on Sunday, April 26 at 1pm with the service in the chapel at 2:30pm.
Memorials may be sent to the Kennedy Business Scholarship Fund at Mississippi College.
Mrs. Lois was our “room mother” in elementary school, and we all wanted to be in Donna’s class so there’d be no doubt as to who our “room mother” would be. She made the best petite fours in the world; each was perfection with that special glazed icing. During the years since we graduated from Magee High in 1963, Mrs. Lois continued to fete us at our reunions with some delicacy she’d made especially for us. She never forgot and made us feel so special. Also, whenever Donna would have some of us classmates over to her house, Mrs. Lois would send over something from “your room mother.” Yes, we will all miss Mrs. Lois. She was an especially beautiful lady with what we’ve always called “flipped hair” as blonde as wheat at harvest time. Life is better for having been graced by the likes of Mrs. Lois. Donna, thank goodness, has much of her mother and father and is a fantastic mother and grandmother. Not a bad apple in the bunch!
In loving sympathy and deepest appreciation,
James Davis, M. H. S. Class of ’63