Funeral service for Robert Bryan Kennedy, age 85, of Fayetteville, TN will be held at 4 PM on Thursday, January 25, 2024, at Higgins Funeral Home with Reverend Craig Carmichael officiating. Visitation with the family will be from 2 PM until 4 PM on Thursday at Higgins Funeral Home. Private burial will take place in Rose Hill Cemetery at a later date.
Bryan was born on March 13, 1938, in Huntland, TN, to the late Raymond Blanco Kennedy and Nellie Smith Kennedy. He was a Professor Emeritus at Athens State College, and a 2009 member of TSSAA Hall of Fame for calling basketball. At the time of his induction, he had been calling basketball in the state of Tennessee for more than 50 years. Bryan worked at Redstone Arsenal for 25 years. Mid-life while still working on the Arsenal, Mr. Kennedy also owned and operated Kennedy Jewelry Store on Fayetteville Square for 15 years. Right before he retired from Redstone Arsenal, he started as an adjunct professor at Athens State University. Upon retirement he began to teach full time and taught until he was 81. Above all, Bryan’s biggest love was his grandchildren. He enjoyed watching them play ball and dance. Mr. Kennedy was always happiest when he was with his family. One of his most recent joys was getting to meet his great granddaughter. Mr. Kennedy passed away on January 15, 2024, at Huntsville Hospital Lincoln Health in Fayetteville.
Survivors include his wife, Judy Kennedy; daughters, Nicole (Donnie) Harris, and Ashley (Cad) Daly; grandchildren, Savanna (Drew) Naugher, and Case Daly; great-granddaughter, Harper Naugher. In addition to his parents, Bryan was preceded in death by his brothers, Ray Kennedy, and Jack Kennedy; sisters, Jonnie Rowell, Mary Taylor, and Margaret Smith; and half-sisters, Ozaline Gamble, Sybil Burdette, and Veronica Keem.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lincoln County Humane Society, P.O. Box 37, Fayetteville, TN 37334 or your local Animal Shelter.
Higgins Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Robert Bryan Kennedy.
Judy: I just recently learned of Bryan’s passing. He was a very good friend of mine for many years. I am so sorry to that he passed away Bryan was a good person and he meant a lot to me. We were good CPO friends and coworkers
Dr. Kennedy and I shared the work comp conference in Gulf Shores and I have known him from Athens State as well. I am so sorry for his loss. It will be greatly felt
I have known Bryan since MTSC days. He was one of the smartest people I knew at the time. Bryan achieved a lot during his lifetime. He will surely be missed.
Bryan was a remarkable man in so many ways as evident by all of his accomplishments.
His love and devotion to family was expressed through words and actions. I am forever grateful for him especially for his help with his sister and my grandmother Margaret.
Thankful to Bryan for all his wisdom at moments which it was most needed.
Ashley I am so sorry for your loss. I remember my wedding day at the reception we missed your dad and he was in the back there washing and drying dishes so we would not run out. He was one special dad. Love your family and you are in Kelby and my prayers.
I had the pleasure meeting Mr Kennedy working at Lincoln manor miss u happy God has taken a sweet 😇 angel
Judy I am so sorry about Bryans death! I am proud to call each of you my friend ! It is hard yo believe those children zi painted are grown I know what you
Are feeling now , Call me if you need to talk! I want to come to the funeral but am still snowed in !
Sorry to the Kennedy family he will be miss he was a dear friend and I will miss him
We are So Sorry. He was a great man. We always enjoyed seeing and talking to him at basketball games. God bless the Family with Comfort and Peace.🙏🙏
Mr. Kennedy was my teacher at Madison Crossroads School and he and my dad were good friends. My sympathies to Judy and the entire family.
Judy, Nicole, Ashley and families
We are thinking of you all during this difficult time. Bryan lived a full life with a wonderful family and host of friends. God bless each one of you.
So sorry for your family’s loss we thought the world of Mr kennedy
Condolences to the family of Mr. Kennedy. He was a great man and friend! It was a honor to know him and was proud when he officiated some of the basketball games when I was coaching.
God bless the family. He will be truly missed!
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of grief. Bryan was a great guy.
Bryan and Judy were always so supportive of the Humane Society. He also officiated many of our boys basketball games with such a professional attitude.
He will be missed. ❤️
Prayers to Judy and family. 🐾
Judy, Nicole, Ashley and family. So sorry to learn of Bryan’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
Ashley and family,
Bugar and I are very sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad. I remember so many times that he was there calling the games. He did what he loved for many years. You will all be in our prayers during this time of loss. Hugs!!
Lenace and Bugar
When only memories remain…let them be beautiful memories! One of the most memorable moments that I shared with Bryan was when my sister, Celeste (who worked for Brayan) was ill and how Bryan constantly showed his concern and even prayers by sending messages through his daughter to me. When she passed away, he showed up at the services to share. I was so moved by that experience. You have my deepest sympathy. You certainly have my sincere prayers as you navigate through this loss. I know what that feeling of loss is all about; but time will bring about healing.
May God bless and keep you all!
Bought my wife’s engagement ring at Kennedy’s in 1986. Jill Gray Moultrie was working there at the time while attending college and helped me with my selection. So miss that store to this day! Mr. Kennedy was such a nice man!
Saddened to hear of Bryan’s passing, yet glad that he enjoyed a very full and satisfying life. Bryan is one of the managers I recall looking up to as an intern and beyond during my years at CPO. Blessings and peace to the family.
I told this story to Nicole once. When I was 19, on summer break from MTSU, Mr. Kennedy asked me, out of the blue, if I wanted a job. Since I was literally digging a ditch for minimum wage at the time, I said yes sir. A couple weeks later, I was working in an engineering office on Redstone Arsenal. Because of that job, I changed majors and transferred to UT. At UT, I met a girl and married her a couple years later. Now we’ve been married 33 years and have 3 adult sons. And I work in an engineering office on Redstone Arsenal. Bryan Kennedy changed my whole life. And I still don’t know why he asked me. But I’m grateful for him.
our sincere sympathies to the family of Bryan Kennedy. I loved his daddy and mother! Bro. Kennedy was our pastor and baptized me when I was 6 years old. I have fond memories of the whole family! GOD bless you and comfort you during this difficult time!
I spent many days and nights at the Kennedy’s while growing up. He was such a wonderful man and was always encouraging others to be the best they could be. Nicole, Ashley and Mrs. Judy, you all are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
I am so sorry and send my prayers to Ashley and the entire family.