Audrey Lois Tohtz Kennedy

Audrey Lois Tohtz Kennedy died Sunday, Sept. 5, in Marion, Ky. She had suffered a stroke in August and was in hospice care. She had a peaceful death surrounded by family.

Earlier this year Audrey celebrated her 90th birthday at events in Nevada, Mo., and Dallas, Texas. At both events were dozens of lifelong friends and family, including her daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. There was much laughter, many stories, and memories abounding of a woman whose life was an inspiration and a celebration of joy and service to others.

Audrey Lois Tohtz was born April 30, 1926, in St. Louis, Mo. She graduated from Blewett High School in St. Louis in 1943. She graduated from Southwest Baptist College in 1946 and from William Jewell College in 1948. She married Don W. Kennedy on June 11, 1948. They moved to Nevada where Don practiced law and later became a circuit judge. They moved to Kansas City, Mo., when Don was appointed to the Missouri Court of Appeals in 1978, where he served until his retirement. In 2007, they moved to Marion, Ky., with two of their daughters.

Don and Audrey lived many years in Nevada, Mo., raised their family there, and engaged in numerous civic and political activities as well as being active members of First Baptist Church.

Audrey's life was devoted to her family and her steadfast faith in God. She loved life, music, and laughter, and she never stopped thinking of others and ways in which to help her many friends but also people whom she had never met. She was a talented singer and shared her lovely voice over many years in her church and in many civic events.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Don, in 2008; son, Roger, in 1973; brother, Jack Tohtz; parents, Richard and Amy Tohtz; and her son-in-law, Wayne Dean. She is survived by daughters, Julianne Kennedy Pederson of Dallas, Jennifer Kennedy Dean and Priscilla Kennedy Graham of Marion, Ky.; two sons-in-law; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the many friends of Audrey who sent birthday letters and cards and attended her 90th birthday party. We celebrated her life and she got to be present.

Services will be held Friday, Sept. 16, at 1 p.m., at Marion Baptist Church, Marion, Ky. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Nevada, Mo., 301 East Highland, Nevada, The Praying Life Foundation (find information at www.prayinglife.org), or the Kennedy Tribute Scholarship, an annual college scholarship awarded to a Nevada High School senior (L.F. Richardson Foundation, in care of Ronald F. Fisk, P.O. Box 385, Nevada, Mo 64772).