A Life Story

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved mother Shirley Linton Kennedy who left us on March 1, 2025. Although our hearts ache with sorrow we find comfort in the cherished memories she left behind.Shirley was born June 30th, 1934, in Savannah to the late William Lonnie Linton, Sr. and the late Lillie Mae Alderman Linton. She was a graduate of Commercial High School in 1952. She married her high school sweetheart Roger Kennedy in 1953. They had 62 wonderful years together before his passing in 2016.She was the executive secretary of Nowell & Associates. She retired and volunteered as a Kindergarten helper at St. Paul's Lutheran School. In 1992 she and her husband started the family business Universal Steel Supply, Inc. Some 33 years later Universal Steel is very much a family business, employing their children and grandchildren in addition to other employees.She was an active member of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church where she was a member of the WELCA group, the church choir, building committee, and she was on the Alter Serving committee. She was a member of the Exchange Club of Savannah.In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Roger McDonald Kennedy, Sr.; brother, William Lonnie Linton, Jr. (Cecile), Lamar Linton (Katherine); sisters-in-law, Delores Bukoski (Jim), Annette Campbell (Charles); brother-in-law, Harry Kennedy (Cathryn).She is survived by her daughter Judi Miller (Tony); sons, Roger "Don" Kennedy, Jr (Sandy), and Stephen Kennedy (Angi); six grandchildren, Josh Miller (Morgan), Kami Whitledge (Patrick), Rachael Lietz (Todd), Caylan Lang (Eric), Dylan Kennedy (Lauren), Julia Kennedy Hires (Jay); seven great grandchildren, three step great grandchildren, and one great grandchild on the way. Her sister Margaret Penfield (Harry); and many nieces and nephews also survive.Shirley was the perfect example of a strong Christian woman who raised a hardworking, close-knit family, a doting grandmother, and a fierce businesswoman who built a successful family business.A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church with pastor Peter J. Hartmann officiating.A reception will follow the service at the church.A private family interment in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens at a later date.In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 10 W 31st Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401. or the Human Society for Greater Savannah, 7215 Sallie Mood Drive, Savannah, GA 31406.