Edris (Gunn) Kennedy

                  Edris Gunn Kennedy, 98 of the Stecoah Community of Robbinsville, NC; formerly of Starkville, MS and Tuscaloosa, AL passed away, Thursday, May 14, 2026.

         She was born in 1927 in Lena MS, to the late Thomas W. and Myrtle Sanders Gunn.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Maurice Kennedy in 2018, son, David Kennedy, and sisters, Evelyn Gunn Roberson (Murphy) and Dorothy Gunn Bailey (Kenneth).

         Edris was a graduate of Mississippi University for Women with a BS degree in Home Economics Teaching.  She also received her master’s degree in Academic Counseling from Mississippi State and was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma.  After pursuing her own education, she became an Academic Counselor for Starkville City Schools in Starkville, MS until her retirement.

         After a dedicated career once retired she became a member of the Tuscaloosa Genealogical Society, and The First Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa. After moving to her new home in the mountains of NC she became a member of Stecoah Baptist Church.

         She is survived by her son, Larry Kennedy (Annette); grandchildren, Laura Kirk (Robbie) of Madison, AL, Cole Kennedy of Atlanta, GA; great grandchildren, Sarah, Samuel, and Graham; and Brother, Tommy Gunn (Margaret) of Lena, MS. 

The family would also like to say thank you to the wonderful caregivers at The Viridian and Gentiva Hospice in New Bern, NC and a special thank you to Nurse Erin Collins for all their care and compassion.

Graveside Services will be held Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 1:30 pm at Jenkins cemetery.  Reverend Patrick Breedlove will officiate.

Townson-Smith Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Kennedy family.