Nelle Jo Kennedy George

Nelle Jo Kennedy George, 87, died peacefully at home Saturday, April 25, 2020, after an extended illness.  The daughter of W. F. and Sallie Jo (Guest) Kennedy, Nelle was born in Knoxville, Tennessee on October 1, 1932.

Raised in Northeast Alabama, she spent almost twenty years moving around the country before settling in Oklahoma with her family in 1977.  Supportive of her husband’s aerospace career and a devoted mother, Nelle also maintained her own professional and volunteer interests.  She worked first as a legal secretary and then as a paralegal after completing the OU Legal assistant program.  While her children were school age, she successfully juggled taking college courses, being a Girl Scout leader, tackling adult Scout training, and offering her talents as a school volunteer.  She later turned her volunteerism to senior assistance, serving as an AARP tax aide for over 20 years.  Family interests were always close to her heart.  She opened “Camp Grandma” for her grandsons to give them a safe haven during summer breaks.

Never one to be idle, Nelle enjoyed reading, travel, flower gardening, collecting rose rocks, and genealogy research.  She was a member of several genealogical organizations including DAR and UDC, where she served in both chapter and division offices.  She was devoted to family activities, including camping, hiking, boating and living history events.  An excellent seamstress, Nelle kept the family fashionably attired for the 19th century.  She attended First Presbyterian Church, Norman.

Nelle was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, John; her parents; and her sister, Kay Kennedy Vogal.  She is survived by her son, John Michael and his wife Rhonda (Ward); her daughter, Cynthia Kay; grandsons, Joshua Michael and Jeremy Joseph, all of Norman; her brother-in-law, Jimmy George of Florida; and several nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank the many aides and nurses from the day center, home health, and hospice organizations for their generous care of Nelle.

A private graveside service will be held in her hometown.  The family will arrange a local memorial service at a later date once family and friends can safely gather together again.