Obituary of Jean Gatch Kennedy

Jean Gatch Kennedy, 83, of Lexington entered into rest July 7, 2014 at Deepwood Estates. Born December 5, 1930 in Walterboro, however raised in Round O, SC she was a daughter of the late Raymond, Sr., and Vera Dever (Bennett) Gatch. She was a member of Aimwell Presbyterian Church in Ridgeway. Mrs. Kennedy was an avid square dancer and enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and Canada to dance. She had a great love for high school football and was a longtime supporter of her son and nephews, who have coached at various schools throughout South Carolina. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, George Alexander Kennedy, Sr. Mrs. Kennedy is survived by five children, Laurie "Larry" K. Strickland, Tiller G. Strickland (Mary), Stephen "Doug" Strickland, Phillip "Phil" Strickland (Debbie) and Tracey S. Jarvis (Paul); sisters, Sara Stackley Ruff (Robert) and Nancy Gatch Layne (George); brother, Raymond "Buddy" Gatch, Jr. (Kaye); 13 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren with one on the way. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff and caregivers at Abbey Road Hospice, as well those from Brightstar Assisted Living for the care and compassion they shared with Mrs. Kennedy. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 P.M., on Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington, 4720 Augusta Road, Lexington, SC 29073. Interment will follow at 3:00 P.M., in Aimwell Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Highway 34, Ridgeway, SC. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., on Tuesday, July 8, 2014 at the funeral home.