Barbara Ann Kennedy

A Mass will be held 12:00 p.m., Saturday, March 20, 2021 at the Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Chickasha, Oklahoma.

Barbara Ann Kennedy, of Amber, OK, was born September 19, 1949 the daughter of William Joseph Stewart and Patricia Maxine (Wood) Stewart in a hospital in Purcell, Oklahoma.  She passed away on March 4, 2021 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma surrounded by her loving family.  Barbara always joked "She was so old she was born in a Museum, since the hospital was later converted to a museum".  Her father Bill was in the oil industry and her her earliest years were in Texas, Arkansas, and eventually they moved to Chickasha.  After living and working in the OKC area for 10 years, she moved to California to start a new career, and met her husband to be Rod Kennedy in Buena Park, CA.

After 18 months they were married in Tiburon, CA on December 9, 1978. While living in the Oak Hills, CA area she met and subsequently worked with the Director of the newly formed East Bay Aids Clinic and was instrumental in come of the early humanitarian protocols for the new affliction. Giving comfort and hope to marginalized suffering people. After their son Matthew was born they moved back to the Austin, Texas area where Rod began a new business.  Later due to her mother's declining health she moved back to the Chickasha family farm.  During this time she continued her education and studied Criminology and Sociology earning an Associates Degree at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma with Honors.  Later she studied Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling at Mid-America Christian University.  She was constantly volunteering at Red Rock Counseling Service & Stepping Stones serving as a counselor.  While attending Oklahoma City Community College she was on the President and Vice-President Honor Rolls and inducted into Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and elected Secretary in the 2010-2011 school year and earned her B.A. in Sociology with Honors.

Barbara was very proud of her 17 years of sobriety.  She would share her story hoping it would inspire someone to take positive steps to changer their lives.  When you met Barbara you knew she had a huge heart for dogs and cats, a trait she got from her mother.  Also, she loved Art, History, Music and definitely enjoyed political debates.

She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant sister Carolyn Sue Stewart and her brother William David Stewart.

Barbara is survived by her husband Rodney M. Kennedy. Her children: William Robert Stewart and wife Lanny; Janiece Rene' Seay and Mathew Marshall Kennedy.  Along with 7 grandchildren: Alexandra Gabrielle Stewart, Allison Grace Stewart, Addilyn Gail Stewart, Adam Garret Stewart, Samara Valentina Santana, Parker Ivy McGinley and Anastasia Isabella Stewart.

Arrangements are under the direction of Sevier Funeral Home of Chickasha, OK.