Joseph Ellwood Kennedy

Joseph Ellwood Kennedy, 78, of Crimora passed away Thursday, November 28, 2024 at Augusta Health in Fishersville.  He was born October 28, 1946 in Augusta County, Virginia, son of the late John Wallace Kennedy, Sr. and Nancy May Crissman Kennedy.

Joe was a 1965 graduate of Wilson Memorial High School and retired in 2002 as a Lycra production operator with DuPont, Waynesboro, with 32 years of service.  He was a member of Crimora Nurturing Life Church and a U. S. Army Veteran that served in Korea.

He participated in the Back Pack Program at Hugh K. Cassell School and was a coach of the Crimora Reds baseball team.  Joe loved sports, especially watching football and baseball; among his favorite teams were the Commanders, the Virginia Cavaliers and the Baltimore Orioles.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Chip Stratton.

Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Mary Belle Smith Kennedy, they were married on May 11th, 1985; his son, Harley J. Kennedy and wife, Marie of Waynesboro; his daughter, Christie M. Henderson and husband, Robert of Lyndhurst; daughter-in-love, Robyn Stratton of Waynesboro; his 11 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and with one due in December; his sisters, Barbara Knecht and husband, Bob of Waynesboro and Linda Blevins and husband, Roger of Crimora; his brother, Johnnie Kennedy and wife, April of Waynesboro; his sister-in-law, Nancy Allen; his aunt and uncle and numerous nieces and nephews.

Joe was a faithful servant of the Lord. He loved his family and he was loved by everyone.  He will be missed by everyone who knew him.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions in his honor be made to Crimora Nurturing Life Church, 1691 New Hope / Crimora Rd., Crimora, VA 24431.

The family will receive friends Thursday, December 5, 2024 from Noon until 1:00 PM at the Charlton and Groome Funeral Home, Fishersville and where funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM, conducted by Pastor Mike Wells and The Rev. Dr. Richard Grendahl.

Interment with Military Honors will be in Augusta Memorial Park, Waynesboro. Active pallbearers will be his grandsons and grandsons-in-law, Zac Stratton, Jacob Stratton, Matthew Stratton, Jamie Henderson, Dillian Kennedy, Stan Hypes, Buck Martin and Brian Ralston.  Honorary bearers will be his great-grandchildren, Shyann Mercer, Madison Hypes, Liam Martin and Callie Rose Martin.

Share memories and condolences at www.charltonandgroomefuneralhome.com.

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