Levera (Byrd) Kennedy

Metter, GA

Levera Byrd Kennedy, age 75, entered her Heavenly home on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at Candler County Hospital.  Levera’s story began on December 15, 1947, when she was born to the late John Brooks and Vera Mae (Gibson) Byrd.  Her formative years were spent in the Candler County School system where she would go on to graduate from Candler County Training School in 1966.  Following graduation, she would go on to meet the love of her life, Willie Kennedy.   In 1969, the pair would wed and began a happy life together that was highlighted by birth of their three children.  Much of the early years were spent attending to the homeplace and raising her children in a loving and Godly home.  Once the children were older, Levera would go on to serve and help others at Pleasant View Nursing Home.  Throughout her life, Levera had a close connection to her Lord and Savior, and she would serve Him from an early age at her home church, Sam’s Creek Missionary Baptist Church, where she would sing in the choir.  In her free time, she enjoyed gardening and growing flowers.  Above all however, she loved fishing and would impart her love and knowledge to her children and grandchildren.  Her motto with them, first and foremost, was “bait your own hook”.  The time she spent with her grandkids was among her happiest days, and she loved them dearly.  A woman of faith, filled with love, and a friend to all she met; Levera will be sorely missed by all.  She is preceded in death by her parents; a brother, John H. Byrd; and a sister, Mary J. Flynn.

Left to cherish precious memories of a life well lived is her husband of over 53 years, Willie Kennedy of Metter; a son, Willie Edward Kennedy, Jr. of Metter; two daughters, Janene Kennedy and Joannah Patrice Kennedy both of Metter; three grandchildren, Danielle (Patrick) Bennett of Lexington SC, Justin Kennedy of Augusta, and Reagan Brooke Thomas of Valdosta; one great grandchild, Jason Avery Bennett of Lexington SC; three sisters, Annie Pearl Medley of New York City, Ernestine (Edward) Goosby of Port Charlotte FL, and Loretta (Charles) Kennedy of Metter; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, brothers and sisters in Christ, and many friends made along life’s journey also survive.

Visitation is scheduled for Friday, January 20th, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the chapel of Low Country Cremation & Burial in Reidsville.

A Homegoing Celebration is planned for Saturday, January 21, 2023, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Sam’s Creek Missionary Baptist Church in Metter with Rev. Sterling L. Guess, Sr., Eulogist and Rev. Jerome Gibson, Officiating.

Pallbearers will be Michael Byrd, John Byrd, Jumar Kennedy, Jamarr Johnson, Delbert Medley, and Terrell Thomas.

Low Country Cremation & Burial is serving the Kennedy family during their time of mourning.