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July 23, 1943 – June 19, 2024

Charles Mayo Kennedy, age 80, of Greenville, passed away on Wednesday, June 19, at the Regional Medical Center of Central Alabama surrounded by his closest friends.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 29, at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Greenville, and will be preceded by visitation at the church from 10 – 11 a.m. Fred Lindstrom, former Rector of St. Thomas, will officiate. During the service, a choir will sing at the special request of Charlie and all are welcome to join. A rehearsal for the choir will take place at the church at 5:30 pm on Friday, June 28.  

Special music will be performed by a choir of Charlie’s friends and fellow parishioners and include one of Charlie’s original songs and another of his arrangements. 

Charlie is survived by his daughters Kristy Kennedy and Lindsey Kennedy Benedict, son-in-law Joe Benedict, grandson Joseph Benedict, his sister Karen Kennedy Johnson and her husband Butch Johnson, and his brother Mark Kennedy and his wife Peggy Wallace Kennedy and numerous other relatives.

Charlie was born in Greenville, the first-born son of Doug and Margie Kennedy. He graduated from Greenville High School in 1961. Following graduation he attended Howard College (now Samford University) in Birmingham, where he met and fell in love with Margie Ruth Goerner. He saw her on the BSU choir tour bus and said that she was the prettiest girl in rollers he had ever seen. They were married in 1965 and moved to Greenville, Charlie’s hometown, in 1967 upon graduation. They lived the remainder of their years in Greenville where they raised their two daughters, Kristy and Lindsey, and lived a life of love for God, family, community and nature.

Charlie was a jack of all trades, a true renaissance man. He was a musician by trade and a carpenter and handyman. He was an avid birdwatcher and served as president of the Alabama Ornithological Society. Each fall and spring he and his family would travel to Dauphin Island for a weekend at the beach to birdwatch. He instilled in his family a love for nature: birds, plants, flowers, gardens and wildlife. These themes were beautifully described in the many songs that he wrote, which have inspired many. He also wrote beautiful songs to his lovely bride Margie which would bring a tear to your eye. He was an avid reader, which allowed him to talk on a vast array of subjects; he was never at a loss for words. He spent many an afternoon at Conservation Lake, or as he called it, the Camp House, where he and his best friends, affectionately called the Porch Lizards, would sit and shoot the bull for hours on end. They were all with him in his last earthly moments, what a precious gift from God. He had a good sense of humor and was a marvelous storyteller, telling funny stories around the kitchen table, at family gatherings or just about anywhere when asked. He loved his family dearly and would do anything for them. He was kind to his neighbors and helped strangers in need.  He contributed so much to his community, too much to recount. He was a difference maker and a legacy leaver. He will leave a void that will be hard to fill.  

In lieu of flowers, Charlie requested memorial gifts for St Thomas Episcopal Church, 210 Church St, Greenville, AL 36037. 

For online condolences, please visit www.dunklinfh.com.