Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Rev. Bettie Ruth Engram Kennedy
Rev. Bettie Ruth Engram Kennedy
Hunger Poverty Hopelessness
Integration and Inclusion Downtrodden
Faith Hope and Love
It was this passion to fill the stomachs of her neighbors that led her to a life-long feeding ministry.
She’ll cook up a pot of beans and take it to the streets. She’ll get bakeries and grocery stores like Brookshire Brothers to share their day old goods – she’ll take that to the streets.
Supporters will drop off bags of food and clothes on her front porch – she’ll take that to the streets.
Frequently by herself, but occasionally friends or others anxious to help will ride along.
Over time and with the support of churches, friends and fellow activists, this morphed into a community food drive that this year fed more than 1600 families.
County Court at Law Judge Bob Inselmann has worked with her on this project as well as in the community garden.
You might say that her spirit’s gotten a hold on him and it won’t let go!
One of her daughters remembers when she and her mom were out and about in Lufkin one day and a lady remarked on her mother’s beautiful dress. Her mother went home, cleaned the dress and returned to town and gave her dress to the lady who had admired it so.
She truly will give you the ‘shirt off her back.’
This remarkable lady has gone by many names through the years….
Some call her teacher.
After graduating from Prairie View A and M – she taught in Lufkin, but then taught at the Texas Deaf, Blind and Orphan School in Austin. She later returned to Lufkin to raise her family. She taught until 1986.
Some call her pastor.
For 25 years she served the people of Collins Chapel CME Church as their pastor.
All call her friend.
Those friendships cross county, state and national lines. She builds alliances with those who can help her
…help the hurting. Governor Rick Perry recently declared her a YELLOW ROSE OF TEXAS.
In spite of the accolades and her advancing age, she says she won’t retire until GOD RETIRES HER!
Tonight, her foundation remains – her faith, her family – seven children, 9 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren – and her heroes from history…
Sojourner Truth, Rosa Parks, Coretta Scott King, Harriet Tubman and so many others. She brings these characters to life in schools, churches and community centers.
By telling the stories – she preserves their legacies –and she reminds children of Africa where the stories began.
In fact it was Sojourner Truth who told her friends back in 1843…
“The Spirit calls me and I must go.”
The spirit called our honoree more than 80 years ago…and she has been going ever since. Each morning before she gets out of bed – she asks the Lord, “Where shall I go?” When the answer comes, she gets up and lives out God’s mission to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and welcome the stranger.
Funeral Home
Colonial Mortuary
1600 Sayers St.
Lufkin, Texas 75904
(936) 634-2261
www.colonialmortuarylufkin.com
Visitation
Friday, July 31, 2015
4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
First United Methodist Church Lufkin
Main Sanctuary
www.lufkinfirst.com
805 E. Denman
Lufkin, TX 75901
Phone: (936) 639-3141
Funeral
Saturday, August 1, 2015
1:30 pm
www.harmony–hill.org
2708 S. Chestnut Street
Lufkin, TX 75901
Phone: (936) 632-1350
Live Streaming
Interment
Immediately Following Funeral
Cedar Grove Cemetery
290 Phil Jackson Road
Lufkin, TX 75904
Repass Celebration
Immediately Following Interment
St. Cyprian’s School Gym
www.stcyprianschurch.org/
1115 S. John Redditt Drive
Lufkin, TX 75904
Phone: (936) 632-1720
Donations, Gifts or Flowers
Donations or Gifts
In lieu of flowers, you are invited to send donations to the Bettie Kennedy Scholarship Fund.
c/o of The Taylor Kennedy Foundation, Inc. at any Regions Bank made payable to the following.
Bettie Kennedy Fund at Regions Bank
Regions Bank
www.regions.com
c/o Taylor Kennedy Foundation, Inc.
Account No. XXXXX88100
PO Box 741163
Dallas, Texas 75374
Regions Bank in Lufkin (or ANY Regions Bank)
203 S. 1st St. Lufkin, TX.
(800) 734-4667
