Obituary for Donald Kennedy

MR. HERMAN DONALD KENNEDY, age 72, of Rhine, GA, passed away on Friday, February 4, 2022.

 Funeral services will be held at 2:00PM Monday, February 7, at Southerland Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Daniel Cook, Rev. Roswell Chapman, Mr. Mike Hilliard, Mr. Terry Coleman, and Mr. Gary Ryals officiating, with interment in Bay Springs Cemetery in Rhine, with Mr. Bobby Ryals officiating.

 Donald was born and raised in Dodge County, a member of Hopewell Baptist Church, and a 1967 graduate of Dodge County High School. After high school, he went to work for Wright Harrell’s pulp wood company for several years and worked as a substitute rural mail carrier in the early 1970s. He farmed for many years and served as the mayor of Rhine from 1978 to 1994, and again from 2016 to 2022. He was the owner and operator of the Dodge County Life Stock Barn from 1983 to 1984 and later went to work the State of Georgia and the Governor’s Office. In 1988, he went to work with Jim Brophy and the Heart of Georgia Community Action Agency as a transportation coordinator for over 34 years. Donald was one of the five original members of the Griff Bowen Fish Fry, along with Griff Bowen, Cass Burnham, Todd Yancey, and Wright Harrell, which they started in the early 1970s. He also served as the 2005 Grand Marshall for the Rhine Pond Town Festival. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren, and he enjoyed the many friendships he made and conversations he had with the Huddle House breakfast crew, which he attended almost every morning for over 30 years. Donald was preceded in death by his Mother and Father, Nina Pearl Harrell Kennedy and Walter Pierce Kennedy.

 He is survived by his 2 Children – Carlye Kennedy (Jeff Crowe) of Eastman and Brett Pierce Kennedy (Kori) of Rhine; 3 Grandchildren – Camden Crowe, Harlie Crowe, and Tyler Crowe (Jordan Knight), all of Eastman; Sister – Debra Finch of Eastman; Brother-in-law – Ronnie Jones of Chauncey; 2 Nieces – Jamie Finch Moore (Brad) of Eastman and Courtney Yawn (Tyler) of Chauncey; 2 Great-Nephews – Tye Moore and Trase Moore; Aunt – Beatrice Harrell McCranie of Rhine; Special Friend and Husband-in-law – Gwen and Jerry “Sec” Fordham of Eastman; Numerous Cousins and Friends.

 The family may be contacted at the residence of Carlye Kennedy and Jeff Crowe, 940 4th Avenue, Eastman, and will receive friends in Southerland Funeral Chapel from 12:30PM-2:00PM Monday, February 7. In addition to flowers, the family requests contributions to The Sure Foundation (One Way On Griffin), 228 Legion Drive, Eastman, GA 31023 or the Dodge Baptist Association, 307 King Street, Eastman, GA 31023.