Julie Arlene Kennedy passed from this life on October 10, 2014 in Oklahoma City at the age of 55. Celebration of life services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at the Cushing High School Gymnasium, Cushing. Pastor Roberts Adams, Pastor Jack Salkil and Mr.Jayson Evans.Arrangements are entrusted to Palmer Marler Funeral Home, Cushing, Ok.
Julie was born on February 19, 1959 in Cushing, Oklahoma to the late Richard Arlen and Stella Mae (Hooper) Evans. She grew up and graduated from Cushing High School in 1977, then attended Sterling College in Sterling, KS. Julie met and later married the love of her life Mike Kennedy on August 15, 1981 in Cushing. Shortly after they were married, starting a family was a high priority. Mike and Julie also became foster parents in 1982. This decision was strongly influenced by her dad, Richard.Evans. In 1984 Mike and Julie were in the first graduating class for NOVA, Preparation for Fostering. Julie later worked with the National Resource Center (NRC) to become trained in Preparation to Fostering and the PATH curriculum to countless families across the state. Additionally, she was a support in Payne County and trained local foster parents at local foster parent support groups. Training and mentoring others to become foster parents became her passion. Mike, Julie and their family at the time were featured in a statewide recruiting video called Fostering Our Future. They have been recognized with many awards over the years. In 2008 they received the Regional Outstanding Foster Parent award. Mike and Julie saw the need for reaching and mentoring young teenage mothers and their infants and started Jewels For Life, in 2007.
Julie served on the Foster Care Review Board from the time of conception .This was later renamed the PARB ( Post Adjudicatory Review Board). This was a service she gave until last Tuesday 10- 07-14. PARB members are Brandi White, Kelly Griffith, Greg Miller and Kaye Escott. Julie was also nominated and appointed by Governor Brad Henry to the State Parb of Oklahoma.
Julie and Mike are members of the First Assembly of God in Cushing, where Julie has served as a Children’s Pastor. She has organized and directed Children’s musicals, Church camps and Vacation Bible School for many years.
She is survived by her husband of 33 years Mike Kennedy of the home, sons Jared Kennedy, Ryan Kennedy, Evan Kennedy, Austin Kennedy all of Cushing, Justin Kennedy of Enid, daughters Emily Kennedy of Wilmington, Delaware, Jana Tye and husband Randy of Cincinnati, Ohio, Lisa Peters and husband Tyler of Ft. Hood, Tx., Jordan Inks of Stillwater, Tristan Kennedy, Allison Kennedy and Isabella Kennedy, Sarah Kennedy, Elizabeth Kennedy all of Cushing, brother Rick Evans and wife Virginia of Enid, sisters-in-law Clelly Evans and Suzie Evans both of Cushing, grandchildren McKenzie, Landon, Braden, Aiden and Christian in addition to numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Mick Evans and Mark Evans.
Memorial fund can be made in memory of Julie Kennedy to: Urban Promise Wilmington 2401 Thatcher St. Wilmington, DE. 19802 www.Urbanpromise.org
Condolences and online guest book are available at www.palmermarlerfh.com.
***
