KENNEDY, Eleanor Upchurch, 87, a resident of Charlottes­ville, VA passed away on Monday, June 18, 2007. She was born in Montgomery the daughter of James T. Up­church, Sr. and Eleanor Roche Upchurch, and grew up and lived there many years. She graduated from Huntingdon College in 1941. She was preceded in death by her husband, Colonel William P. “Red” Kennedy; her sister, Irene U. McDonald; and her grandson, Billy Ken­nedy. She is survived by her daughter, Whiddon Kennedy Stephens of Salem, OR and her sons, William Patrick Ken­nedy III of Temple,TX and James Matthew Kennedy of Charlottesville, VA; a sister, Elizabeth U. Ausfeld of Nor­cross, GA; her brothers, James T. (Jim) Upchurch, Jr.of Montgomery and John B. Upchurch of Smyrna, TN; three Grandchildren and five Great-grandchildren. She and “Red” were married about 6 months before World War II began, and were sta­tioned all over the States, Alaska and Korea. “Red’s” last assignment was in the Pentagon and they moved to Alexandria, VA where she lived for many years and where she was a volunteer worker very interested in “those in need” in that area, finally becoming Executive Director of “Route One Hou­sing”. As a result of her work, the Eleanor U. Kennedy Shel­ter was opened on Fort Bel­voir, VA. and Fairfax County, VA. declared December 14, 1996 “Eleanor U. Kennedy Shelter” Day. First Lady Bar­bara Bush attended an affair at which Eleanor was hon­ored and described as " the Mother Teresa of Route One". A memorial service will be conducted at her church in Alexandria, VA at a later da­te. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to New Hope Housing, 8407-E Richmond Highway, Alexan­dria, VA 22309.
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Funeral Home: none
Publication Date: 07/01/2007