Sandra Ann Jackson Kennedy

On the evening of March 20, 2011, Sandra Jackson Kennedy soared from the bonds of earth and now stands smiling before her Lord. As her family and friends reflect on her full life, they take comfort in the knowledge that a joyous reunion awaits.

Sandra was born June 26, 1946 in Walterboro, S.C., the daughter of Frances Ermine Zeigler Jackson and the late Claude Herbert Jackson, Jr.  She was graduated from Walterboro High School in 1964. She earned her associates degree from Palmer Business College. While pursuing her education, she met her husband of 44 years, Norman Kennedy.  She worked as a medical transcriptionist at MUSC before spending two years working for U.S. Forestry Service.

She gave up working outside the home in 1968 when the first of her three daughters was born. Sandra devoted herself to her children, working with Norman to raise them in a loving household grounded in faith. She taught Sunday School, led Girls in Action, and served as youth director at Rutledge Avenue Baptist Church for many years. She worked to broaden the horizons of her daughters and other West Ashley girls as a leader of the Merry Makers 4-H Club for over ten years.  In addition to these responsibilities, she served as a devoted caregiver to her late mother-in-law, Kate Elsey Kennedy, for more than two decades.

In 1991, Sandra began working as a Medical Transcriptionist at West Ashley Internal Medicine.

In 2004, she retired, allowing her to devote her full energy to her two passions - spoiling her grandchildren and traveling. Each Christmas and Easter, a lovingly crafted, hand-smocked dress appeared for each of her granddaughters.

She was an active member of Providence Baptist Church, where she played in the handbell choir, served on the fellowship committee, and participated in the book club. She also enjoyed knitting blankets for preemies as part of the church's Knitting Out Of Love Club.

In addition to her husband, Norman, she is survived by her mother, Ermine Jackson of Round O, SC; three daughters, Stacey Painter and her husband John of Charleston, Dawn Whitehurst and her husband George of Fredericksburg, VA; Amy Blanton and her husband Jason of Charleston; two sisters, Barbara Carter and her husband Larry of Lodge, SC; Frances Ritter and her husband Tommy of Ritter, SC; a brother, Herbert Jackson and his wife Ruby of Round O, SC; and seven grandchildren, Jonathan Painter, Emily Painter, Elizabeth Whitehurst, Kennedy Blanton, Sarah Whitehurst, Jake Blanton and William Whitehurst.

The family will receive friends at J. HENRY STUHR, INC., WEST ASHLEY CHAPEL Thursday, March 24, 2011 from 5 until 7 pm. Funeral services will take place at Ashley River Baptist Church on Friday, March 25, 2011 at 11 am. Committal services will follow at Live Oak Memorial Gardens. 

Memorials may be made to The Providence Baptist Church Handbell Choir or The Connie Maxwell Children's Home.