Kay Wilson Kennedy, 72, of Columbia, went to be with her Lord, Jesus Christ on Saturday, March 28, 2015. Born October 1, 1942, in Shelby, NC, she was the daughter of the late Robert Knox Wilson and Mary Thompson Wilson. Kay attended Shelby, NC schools, and was an officer of her high school student body and member of the honor society as well as being an active member of First Baptist Church, Shelby, NC. She attended Wake Forest University for two years, before graduating with honors from King's Business College in Charlotte, NC. After moving to Columbia, Kay went to work with the Cosmos Broadcasting Company. She also worked as an administrative assistant to Richard Shafto and later for the James F. Byrnes Foundation. Kay was a member of Shandon Baptist Church for over 40 years, teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, decorating the Singing Christmas Tree each year from its inception, and was involved in numerous Bible study classes.

She is survived by her husband, Edward C. Kennedy; brothers, R. Knox Wilson, Jr. of Shelby, NC; Kenneth E. Wilson (Aggie) of Spring Valley, IL; her sister-in-law, Lynda Kennedy Gore (Jarvis) of Columbia; as well as a number of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. In addition to her parents, Kay was preceded in death by her brother-in-law, Major Glenn Kennedy, USMC, Ret.

The service for Mrs. Kennedy will be held 3 o'clock, Wednesday, April 1st, at Shandon Baptist Church with Dr. John R. Lincoln and The Rev. Jerry Long officiating. Interment will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park. The family will greet friends in the Gathering Place prior to the service beginning at 2 o'clock. Members of Kay's Sunday School Class are invited to serve as honorary pallbearers. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.

Memorials may be made to Connie Maxwell Children's Home, PO Box 1178 Greenwood, SC 29648-1178; or to Shandon Baptist Church, Music Ministry, 5250 Forest Dr, Columbia, SC 29206.