Obituary: Meta Mae Williams Kennedy,

Meta Mae Williams Kennedy, 92, passed away on May 30, 2024, at UNC Lenoir Hospital in Kinston, North Carolina.

A Celebration of Life will be conducted Monday, June 3, 2024, at 11AM in the Edwards Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will be private.

She was born September 1, 1931, to Joseph Williams and Meta Stroud Williams. One of 12 children, she graduated from Southwood High School and Meredith College, class of 1953. Many of her high school and college classmates remained lifelong friends.

Meta Mae was an educator, a gardener, homemaker, and devoted mother to her four children. An active member of Armenia Christian Church, she played the piano, sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, served on the bereavement committee, and was active in the Christian Women's Fellowship.

She loved the wide-open spaces of the countryside. She will be remembered for her delicious family meals, especially her carrot cake. She had a servant's heart and was a pillar in her family and community.

She is preceded in death by her son John Mark Kennedy; her former husband and father of her children, William Wooten Kennedy; husband, Thomas C. Posey; and siblings, Leonard, Dal, George, Keith, Paul, Kendell, James Albert, Francis, Buddy, Eugene and Betty Jane.

She is survived by her daughters, Billie Jo Kennedy Cockman, Ethlyn Averett Kennedy; son, Forrest Bruce Kennedy; grandchildren, Forrest Kennedy (Krystal), Paige Kennedy Cockman Shackleton (Josiah), Eric Respess, Zach Respess, and James Cockman III; great granddaughter, Scarlett Kate Kennedy. In addition, she leaves two stepchildren, Carol Posey ter Wee (Gerard) and Brenda Posey Avent (Roy), along with multiple step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

Meta Mae enjoyed her time at Herritage Elite and Magnolia Cottage. The family is grateful to all of her caregivers, including Kelly Mitchell, Penny Edgeston and her team.

Memorial gifts may be made to Armenia Christian Church, 1817 Hwy 70 E, Kinston, NC.

Arrangements by Edwards Funeral Home & Cremations. Online condolences may be expressed at www.edwardsfhc.com.