Loretta Griffin Kennedy

Loretta Griffin Kennedy, 83, of Charleston, SC, passed in a local hospital on July 8, 2026. Loretta was born in Pamplico, SC, daughter of the late Raymond Griffin and Hazel Wiggins Griffin. She was the beloved wife of the late John Nathan Kennedy, with whom she shared a lifetime of love and service to their country through the U.S. Department of State. Surviving are her daughter, Amy Kennedy-Penuel; son-in-law, David Penuel; grandsons, Avery and Luke; granddaughter, Claire; and her brother, Beecher Calvin ("B.C.") Griffin of Pamplico. She was predeceased by her brother, "Bud" Griffin.

Loretta attended Pamplico High School and graduated from the Carolina College of Commerce in 1961 with a degree in Business Administration. She devoted her professional career to the U.S. Department of State, serving in both Civil Service and Foreign Service assignments over more than three decades. As a Foreign Service Secretary, she served at U.S. embassies in Vienna, Austria; Harare, Zimbabwe; and Paris, France, accompanying her husband during his overseas assignments while making significant contributions of her own.

In Washington, Loretta served in the Office of Communications and later in the Executive Office of the Bureau of European Affairs. During that assignment she worked closely with Ambassador Richard C. Holbrooke and Ambassador Christopher Hill in support of diplomatic efforts surrounding the war in the Balkans. She concluded her career as an Office Administrator at the Charleston Financial Service Center, where she served from 1995 until her retirement in 2003.

Loretta was a devoted and loving grandmother who treasured every opportunity to spend time with her grandchildren. She loved working in her garden, where she found peace and joy cultivating flowers. She was also a devoted pet owner to her beloved cat, Honey. Her kindness, quiet strength, and unwavering devotion to her family will be remembered with gratitude and love by all who knew her.

The relatives and friends of Mrs. Loretta Griffin Kennedy are invited to attend committal services at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the Foreign Service Nationals Emergency Relief Fund in Loretta's memory.

Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., West Ashley Chapel. 

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