Welcome! Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Login | Register
   
Maxine Hamrick Kennedy

Maxine Hamrick Kennedy passed away on March 27, 2021 after a brief unexpected illness.

Maxine was born on October 10, 1939 in Shelby, NC, the oldest daughter of Attorney L.T. and Ann Parker Hamrick. She was raised in Shelby, graduated from Shelby High School, Mars Hill College and Wake Forest University. She later received a Masters Degree in Special Education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Maxine is survived by her husband of 57 years, Michael S. Kennedy of Shelby; sister, Elizbeth Hamrick Dulaney of Charlotte, N.C.; son, Scott M. Kennedy of Hickory, N.C. and his children, Kaitlyn Kennedy and Davis Kennedy; son, David Kennedy (Danielle) of Greenville, N.C. and his children Patrick Kennedy and Edward Kennedy. She is predeceased by her parents, L.T. and Ann Parker Hamrick.

Maxine and Michael were married in 1963 when Michael was in school at the University of North Carolina School of Law. They returned to Shelby after his graduation. Michael's service in the military brought Maxine and Mike to Hampton, Virginia where she taught junior high school. It was there in 1968 that they started a family with the birth of their first son, Scott. After their time in Hampton they anchored their family in Shelby where their second son David was born. They would make many memories in Shelby with family and life-long friends. It was there that Maxine's engaging nature and Master's Degree served many in teaching Special Education classes at The Northside School. She would later serve as general office manager at Kennedy Law Offices.

Maxine was always active in her community, a long-time member of the Shelby Junior Charity League, where she presided over and participated in a number of League fund-raising projects ("Tennis,... anyone?"); was event manager for the Cleveland County Hospital Auxiliary Ball; a founding and faithful member of the Cleveland County 20th Century Book Club; and served in numerous other charitable and civic organizations throughout Cleveland County for many years.

Maxine never met a stranger. Her ready and exuberant laugh was well known and happily expressed her joy in connecting with other people. She was fiercely proud of her sons and four grandchildren. She enjoyed cruise excursions, traveling throughout Europe and exploring the wonders of our own lands and people. Her favorite place to kick back and be at ease was Harbor Town on Hilton Head Island, SC. She was an avid fan of Carolina Panthers football, and Tarheel and Demon Deacon basketball. She loved swimming and anything happening around water. Her special fun was watching the menagerie of wildlife around her beloved "home in the woods". Many a needy dog, cat or other "critter" was rescued, adopted, healed, saved or otherwise taken under her wings over the years.

A service for Maxine will be held on Tuesday, April 6, at 2:00 pm at the Chapel of Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory in Shelby. The family will not receive friends before or after the service due to continuing Covid concerns.

It is requested that those in attendance wear face coverings and practice social distancing.

In lieu of flowers, contributions be made to The North Shelby School at 1701 Charles Rd., Shelby, NC 28152 or C.A.R.E (Clifford's Army Rescue) at P.O. Box 370, Earl, NC 28038.

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family.

Guest Registry is available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com


Printer-friendly format