SPECIAL TRIBUTES, CARDS AND CONDOLENCES
GRIEF TURNS TO JOY!
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| Dr. Yvonne Kennedy longtime Alabama Representative |
January 8, 1945-December 8, 2012
Pain and heartache give way to the memory of an incredible public servant. Dr. Yvonne Kennedy, a Mobile native "never forgot where she came from because she never left!" For more than 20 years she was a "single woman
on a single mission" of helping all people along the Gulf Coast. Today Alabama is remembering Dr. Yvonne Kennedy as she is being laid to rest. Yvonne Kennedy served tirelessly for more than three decades as an educator, state lawmaker and humanitarian.
Ron Reams December 10, 2012 10:44 AM
It has always been a joy and privilege to
be around and cover news events involving Dr. Yvonne Kennedy, whom I considered
my friend.
It might interest folks to know this wonderful and dedicated woman,
a true servant of the people, passed away exactly one month to the day prior to
what would have been her 68th birthday, January 8th. She will be greatly missed
by this community of Mobile for her professional talents and abilities as an
educator and state legislator, but primarily I believe people will miss her
warm smile and genuine ability to demonstrate her care for others, reflecting
the love of the Lord in her daily life. I am positive as she entered the gates
of His kingdom, she heard His words... "Well done, thou good and faithful
servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over
many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."
. 
varionwaltonDecember 10,
2012 6:44 PM
Ron, I know she earned your respect many years ago. Her
death came as a shock to me. Her passing is much bigger than Mobile. Here's a
woman who adopted, believed and lived the philosophy "each one teach
one!" Long after gaining national prominence as the National President for
Delta Sigma Theta she could have left The Port City for a larger city. She
didn't. She stayed and believed in a "better day" for many of
Mobile's underprivileged. I'm sure Dr. Kennedy would appreciate you remembering
her good works. Thanks for sharing.
Delete
varionwaltonDecember 10,
2012 6:44 PM
Ron, I know she earned your respect many years ago. Her
death came as a shock to me. Her passing is much bigger than Mobile. Here's a
woman who adopted, believed and lived the philosophy "each one teach
one!" Long after gaining national prominence as the National President for
Delta Sigma Theta she could have left The Port City for a larger city. She
didn't. She stayed and believed in a "better day" for many of
Mobile's underprivileged. I'm sure Dr. Kennedy would appreciate you remembering
her good works. Thanks for sharing.
Delete
Tennie
Lindsey/December 11, 2012December 11, 2012 1:25 PM
I first saw Dr. Yvonne Kennedy
in action from a distance at a Delta Sigma Theta Regional Meeting. I was newly
initiated into the sorority and was very impressed with Dr. Kennedy and the
skillful and professional manner she took charge as the leader she was. When
she walked to the podium complete silence. Later, I had the opportunity to meet
her up close and personal. Oh, what an experience. With all the characteristic
attached to her, she took charge of the situation and dared anyone to stop her.
With professionalism, respect from her peers, charm, grace, and knowledge of
the situation she removed all obstacles. It was an awesome task but she
remained steadfast and unmoveable until the situation was resolved Dr. Kennedy
was a "Drum Major" for justice and truth. Her legacy will definitely
live on in our hearts. We will always love her.
AnonymousDecember 11, 2012 10:17 PM
Please continue to remember Dr.
Yvonne Kennedy's good works.
Statement made in the write up about Dr. Kennedy
resignation and financial scandel could have been omitted.
Please THINK before
you write.
Thanks.
Delete
PacofRiceDecember 12,
2012 7:34 AM
Varion, this is a wonderful tribute to such a
phenomenal woman. Dr. Kennedy was one of my early inspirations. I did research
on her for school years ago. I never forget how she gave me an 8 X 10
photograph of her that I still have to this day. When I rise to speak, I
attempt and I mean attempt to speak as eloquently as she did. She was the
epitome of a lady with grace, class, beauty and sophistication. Her legacy
shall never die!
Delete
ChocsityDecember 12, 2012 4:04 PM
It is with great sadness my
heart is feeling right now after learning the lost of someone who I considered
a family member. I am a member of Stewart Memorial C.M.E church family and have
been since birth. I am now a 46 year old woman that was born and raised in that
church. Every Sunday while preparing to go to church, my siblings and I would
ask our mother if “Aunt Yvonne” was going to be at church. To us (at that time)
she was bigger than the pastor.
No matter what she was involved in, she took
time out of her busy schedule to make sure the children at Stewart Memorial
C.M.E. as well as children in the community was always taken care of. Whether
it toys for Christmas or baskets & eggs for Easter; she would personally see
that we all had what we thought we needed or wanted.
I grew up watching her
every move. She played a role in my life that is continuing this day. When I
was 18 yrs old, I will never forget I was really upset about a situation and I
went to her office at S.D. Bishop State to discuss it with her. She sat in her
“BIG” chair in her office and listened to me until I was done venting. She told
me in her mild matter tone, “Change what you see, by changing how you see”. I
didn’t understand what she meant until the situation got resolved. From that
day to this one, I use that philosophy and it has allowed me become a better
women. I will never, never forget that day.
For many of us young ladies have
watched her over the years as she would gracefully walk across our paths and we
wanted to be her. To us, she was our Coretta Scott King. Before Michelle Obama,
we had Dr. Yvonne Kennedy.
Many Mobilians does not know she is the reason we
still have the parade on Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd. When it was taken off the
“Avenue” she was the Drum Major that marched Downtown Mobile and fought to have
it put back in the neighborhoods it was originally for. She was a woman of
integrity, resilience, and determination.
Tears are sometimes an inappropriate
response to death. When a life has been lived completely honestly, completely
successfully, or just completely, the correct response to death's perfect
punctuation mark is a smile.
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love
leaves a memory no one can steal. We will forever miss you Dr. Yvonne Kennedy.
Thank you for just being you.
.
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