Peggy Virginia Faulkner Kennedy passed away peacefully on February 15, 2022, in her home in Columbus, MS.

Visitation will be Thursday, February 17, 2022, from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Lowndes Funeral Home, Columbus, MS.  A funeral service will be Friday, February 18, 2022, at 1:00 PM at First Baptist Church, Canton, MS with Dr. Shawn Parker officiating and Rev. Linda A. Smith assisting.  Mrs. Kennedy will lie in state 2 hours before the service.  Interment will be at Canton City Cemetery, Canton, MS with Lowndes Funeral Home directing.

Peggy was born November 8, 1931, in the Tocowa community of Panola county.  She was a graduate of Pope High School, Northwest Community College, and Delta State University where she received her degree in education.

In 1954, Peggy met and married Moody Dwight Kennedy, Jr. of Cleveland. Together they raised five children and were married for 59 years, spending 42 years of that time in Canton, MS.

It was very apparent after spending any time with Peggy that she had a heart for Jesus and serving others.  Her pleasant spirit and wisdom was an anchor and light to many.  Peggy will be remembered for her many roles including a loving wife, mother, Nana, and friend.  She will also be remembered as a talented seamstress, cook, baker (caramel cakes), and teacher.

Peggy's strong faith led her to always be active in her church teaching Sunday School and supporting others in any way she could.  She was also a leader in the Mississippi Extension Service where she worked teaching children in 4H and other activities.

Peggy is preceded in death by her parents, Sally Jane Murphree Faulkner and Bobo J. Faulkner, her husband, Moody Dwight Kennedy, Jr, her sister, Mary Alice Faulkner Graves Thornton, her brother, Benny Jack Faulkner.

She is survived by her five children: Mary Jane Kennedy Runnels (Sidney) of Columbus, Laurie Kennedy Flora (Gray) of Oxford, David Dwight Kennedy (Kim) of Canton, Bobo Faulkner Kennedy (Julie) of Cullman, AL, and Grace Ann Kennedy Cooper (Clark) of Birmingham, AL and her brother, Tommy Faulkner (Becky) of Canton.  She is also survived by 14 grandchildren: Sy Runnels, Clara Runnels Armstrong (Chris), Jeffrey Runnels (Bliss), Gray Flora IV (Eden), Kennedy Flora, Lilla Flora Cappellari (David), Matt Kennedy (Catherine), Janie Kennedy Tuminello (Mat), Dan Kennedy (Kat), Stanley Kennedy (Mary Ellen), Penn Kennedy, Lee Cooper, Sally Cooper, and Lizzie Cooper and nine great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons.

Memorials may be directed to Missions through First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 829, Columbus, MS 39703 or First Baptist Church, 125 E. Fulton Street,  Canton, MS. 39046.