John Marshall Kennedy

John Marshall Kennedy, of Decatur, went to his heavenly home on Friday, January 7, 2022 at the age of 91. Known by family and friends as Marshall, he was the youngest twin born to Jim and Russie Hackler Kennedy in McMinn County. His early years were spent in McMinn County before his parents moved to Meigs County, where they ran the grocery and feed store on the corner of Highway 58 and Highway 30 in Decatur. Marshall was in high school at the time and graduated from Meigs County High School in 1948 along with his twin brother Martin and his older brother Edsel who had returned from World War II. While in high school, Marshall officiated the elementary basketball games for Miss Viola Runyan and this is where he laid eyes on his future wife. After high school graduation, Marshall worked for J. Nat Moore in Athens, and in 1949, he married Joanne Perkinson, who become the love of his life, best friend, and constant companion. Marshall moved his bride to Chattanooga and worked for McKee Baking Company until he enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1951. Marshall served four years with the 74th Fighter Interceptor Squadron (Flying Tigers) in the United States Air Force. He served during the Korean War and had active duty in Denver, Colorado and then in Presque Isle, Maine. It was in Presque Isle that Marshall and Joanne’s firstborn, Dale, was born while in Presque Isle, Maine. His entire squadron transferred to Thule, Greenland where he served for a year before returning home to Tennessee. After his honorable discharge, Marshall began work for Bell South Telephone Company (AT&T) and retired after 35 years. During this time, Marshall and Joanne bought a farm, ran a dairy before changing over to beef cattle and pursued their family life with Dale and daughter Cindy. Marshall’s life revolved around family, church, farming, gospel music, fishing, hunting, water skiing, and camping on Sand Island. He delighted in teaching many youngsters how to water ski in the waters around Sand Island. His love of gospel music was not by accident as he grew up with his dad, Singing Jim, who taught singing schools in churches around the area. In the early 60’s, Marshall sang bass with the Kennedy Quartet with his twin brother Martin who sang tenor, older brother Edsel who sang lead, sister-in-law Eula who sang alto and his wife Joanne who played the piano. Later on Marshall sang bass with the Pleasant Hill Quartet with Lead singer Gene Roberts, Tenor singer Doyle Harmon, Alto singer Hazel Hennessee and Piano player Joanne Kennedy. He loved to listen to Southern Gospel Music especially The Kingdom Heirs Shows at Dollywood. He and wife, Joanne loved to travel with their children and grandchildren to cities, Beaches, and National Parks all over the United States. Marshall was a faithful member of Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church where he served as Sunday School Superintendent, Trustee, and Lay Leader. He also rang the church bell every Sunday morning for church to begin on Sunday mornings. Marshall was a member of The Meigs Lodge No. 213 F. & A.M. for 61+ years, The Scottish Rite of Free Masonry, The Alhambra Shrine, The American Legion, and the V.F.W. Marshall was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Russie Kennedy; sister, Emma Lou and husband George Sadowski; sister, Wanda and husband Bill McCormick; brother, Edsel and wife Eula Kennedy; twin brother, Martin and wife Polly Kennedy; step- mother, Sally Kennedy; father and mother-in-law, John D. and Minnie Perkinson sister-in-law Florene Gordon, and brother-in-law J. L. Perkinson. Survivors include his wife of 72 ½ years, Joanne Perkinson Kennedy; one son, Dr. J. Dale Kennedy and wife Rebecca of Athens; one daughter, Cynthia Mills and husband William of Decatur; one granddaughter, Jennifer Kennedy Coggins and husband Trey of Nolensville, TN; four grandsons, J. Nicholas Mills and wife Andrea of Peoria, AZ; J. Clay Kennedy and wife Emily of Murfreesboro; LtCol Brandon Mills and wife Nora of Camp Pendelton, CA; Benjamin Kennedy and wife Sarah of Athens; ten great-grandchildren, Carter, Caden, Ireland and Cashten Mills of Peoria, AZ; Andersen, Nathan, and Nolan Mills of Camp Pendelton, CA; Harrison, Marshall and Warren Coggins of Nolensville, TN; sister-in-laws, Mary Evelyn Perkinson and Carol Ann Perkinson of Decatur; and brother-in-law, Wayne Perkinson and wife Sandra, as well as several beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. The family will receive friends in the Chapel of Decatur Funeral Home & Cremation Services on Friday, January 14, 2022 from 4p.m. to 7p.m., with a Masonic Service at 7p.m. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church with the Rev. Rodney Dunn officiating. Interment will follow in the Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church Cemetery with Military Honors. Nicholas Mills, LtCol Brandon Mills, Trey Coggins, J. Clay Kennedy, Benjamin Kennedy, and Lewis Thompson will serve as Pallbearers. Honorary Pallbearers are Don Roberts, Jimmy Kennedy, Tim Kennedy, Larry Sadowski, and Russell McCormick. In Lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to the Pleasant Hill U.M.C. Cemetery Fund, c/o Sarah Roberts, P.O. Box 1231, Decatur, TN 37322. Decatur Funeral Home & Cremation Services is honored to serve the Kennedy family.