Virginia Wilkes Kennedy
Virginia Wilkes Kennedy (87), of Winston-Salem, NC, died on May 13, 2021. Virginia was the wife of Jim Kennedy and the daughter of the late Gus S. Wilkes and Ruth Lee Wilkes of Lumberton, NC. She was a graduate of East Carolina University and a retired teacher of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System. She had a deep concern for her students, and a tremendous desire to help them reach high academic potential, which embraced principles of good citizenship. After retiring from teaching students, Virginia continued her love of education by teaching the Christian Fellowship Sunday School class at Ardmore United Methodist Church with the same zeal of studying, knowing and living out God’s holy word. She was active in leadership of the United Methodist Women – both in her church and in the Winston-Salem District. She often participated in the Lake Junaluska Conferences in the mountains of North Carolina and traveled to many worldwide UMW meetings. Virginia’s greatest joys beyond her love of God were the love of her family; especially, her husband of more than 65 years and her many friends. She enjoyed cooking for her family and friends and was known for sharing her delicious cakes with them. Cooking was her favorite way of showing love. She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers: Lee Wilkes, Robert Wilkes and Frank Wilkes. She is survived by her husband Jim, her sons, Connor Kennedy, (Anne) of Winston-Salem, NC, Ralph Kennedy of Chicago, IL and a daughter, Ruth Kennedy of Winston-Salem, NC; two grandsons, Jim Kennedy of Durham, NC and Chris Kennedy of Winston-Salem, NC, as well as many nieces and nephews. The family especially wishes to thank Mrs. Kennedy’s faithful caregivers, Tanaja Littlejohn and Deborah Dediare and the wonderful people at Griswold Home Care. The funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at Ardmore United Methodist Church 630 South Hawthorne Road Winston-Salem, NC 27103, with the Rev. Matt Farabow officiating. Covid guidelines will be observed. She will lie-in-state one hour prior to the service at the church. The family will receive visitors after the service and a private family burial will follow the visitation at Forsyth Memorial Park. Memorials may be made in Virginia's memory to Ardmore United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be sent to www.salemfh.com.Obituary
Virginia Wilkes Kennedy (87), of Winston-Salem, NC, died on May 13, 2021. Virginia was the wife of Jim Kennedy and the daughter of the late Gus S. Wilkes and Ruth Lee Wilkes of Lumberton, NC. She was a graduate of East Carolina University and a retired teacher of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System. She had a deep concern for her students, and a tremendous desire to help them reach high academic potential, which embraced principles of good citizenship. After retiring from teaching students, Virginia continued her love of education by teaching the Christian Fellowship Sunday School class at Ardmore United Methodist Church with the same zeal of studying, knowing and living out God’s holy word. She was active in leadership of the United Methodist Women – both in her church and in the Winston-Salem District. She often participated in the Lake Junaluska Conferences in the mountains of North Carolina and traveled to many worldwide UMW meetings. Virginia’s greatest joys beyond her love of God were the love of her family; especially, her husband of more than 65 years and her many friends. She enjoyed cooking for her family and friends and was known for sharing her delicious cakes with them. Cooking was her favorite way of showing love. She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers: Lee Wilkes, Robert Wilkes and Frank Wilkes. She is survived by her husband Jim, her sons, Connor Kennedy, (Anne) of Winston-Salem, NC, Ralph Kennedy of Chicago, IL and a daughter, Ruth Kennedy of Winston-Salem, NC; two grandsons, Jim Kennedy of Durham, NC and Chris Kennedy of Winston-Salem, NC, as well as many nieces and nephews. The family especially wishes to thank Mrs. Kennedy’s faithful caregivers, Tanaja Littlejohn and Deborah Dediare and the wonderful people at Griswold Home Care. The funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at Ardmore United Methodist Church 630 South Hawthorne Road Winston-Salem, NC 27103, with the Rev. Matt Farabow officiating. Covid guidelines will be observed. She will lie-in-state one hour prior to the service at the church. The family will receive visitors after the service and a private family burial will follow the visitation at Forsyth Memorial Park. Memorials may be made in Virginia's memory to Ardmore United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be sent to www.salemfh.com.