Mr. Rayford Louis “Ray” Kennedy, age 78, a resident of North Shores Road, Washington, died Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville.

A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018, at First Christian Church in Washington, conducted by Dr. Robert Cayton, Dr. Jacob Kines and Pastor Gillian Pollock. Burial with Red Men rites will follow at Oakdale Cemetery, Washington.

The following will serve as pallbearers: Sam Fulmer, Linwood Lewis, Ron Parsons, David Weatherly, Bryan Ross and Robert Waters.

Mr. Kennedy was born in Duplin County on March 5, 1940. He was the son of Louis Allen Kennedy and Beulah Edwards Kennedy. Mr. Kennedy was self-employed in the roofing business for over 60 years. He was a member of First Christian Church, where he had served as Elder and Deacon. Mr. Kennedy also attended Graceway Holiness Church and Faith Free Will Baptist Church. He was a member of Tau Tribe #18, Improved Order of Red Men and a lifetime member of the Optimist Club.

Mr. Kennedy is survived by his wife of 52 years, Judith “Judy’ Jones Kennedy, of the home; his children, Betty Jo Johns and husband Philip, of Clayton, Rayford Louis Kennedy, Jr. and wife Deborah, of Bear Grass, Carol Sue Munday and husband Eric, of Washington; 10 grandchildren, Jordan and Sydney Johns, Rayford and Elizabeth Kennedy, Michael and Josh Greenhaw, Koby and Savannah Munday, Kaleb and Laurie Woodson; two great-grandchildren, Paisley and Deaglan Greenhaw; and one sister, Faye Runyon, of Beulaville.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Kennedy was preceded in death by three brothers, Ralph Kennedy, Cecil Kennedy and Jimmy Kennedy.

The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018, at First Christian Church, 307 E. Third St., Washington and other times at the home, 104 North Shores Road, Washington.

Flowers are appreciated, or memorials may be made to one’s favorite charity.

Online condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington is honored to serve the Kennedy family.