Mrs. Marion Ginger Fontenot Kennedy's Obituary
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. - Psalm 23:6
Marion Ginger (Fontenot) Kennedy passed away on May 23, 2024, at her home in Houston, Texas. She was born in Raywood, Texas to Nerva and Ragis Fontenot , Sr., on July 7, 1946. She grew to become a cherished member of the Raywood community. Ginger graduated from Woodson High School in 1964.
Ginger later met the love of her life, Alfred Kennedy, Sr.. They were joined in holy matrimony on October 4, 1969. Soon thereafter, Ginger and Alfred moved to White Plains, New York, where they resided for approximately one year before returning to Texas to continue their lives in Houston. To this union was born two daughters, Lajoi and Cynthia, and a stepson, Alfred Kennedy, Jr. Together, Ginger and Alfred built a life of love and joy while raising their children.
Ginger’s professional life included employment with Southwestern Bell as a telephone operator, with Equifax as an investigation data processor, and lastly, with Houston Community College as a librarian until she retired in 2014.
Ginger was a long-time, faithful member of the St. Francis of Xavier Catholic Church in Houston, Texas, where she and Alfred often volunteered to help with church fund raising, bazaars and other church activities. Ginger was also a member of the Ladies Auxilliary and a debutant sponsor at the church.
On a more personal level, Ginger was an avid baker who enjoyed baking lavish, delicious cakes and other desserts for friends as well as the family she cherished and loved so much. She also loved to listen to and dance to zydeco music, which was always part of the festive atmosphere surrounding family gatherings and celebrations.
Ginger had a way of letting you know that you really mattered and meant a lot to her. And when you were in her presence, you knew she felt that spending her time with you was a top priority for her. Ginger knew that time is the only limited, precious and unreplenishable gift that one person can lovingly give to another. She always stood by her loved ones. If you were right about something, she would be right with you. And if you were wrong, she still stood by you to make sure you did not have to be wrong all by yourself. She was that kind of warrior and friend.
Ginger was the family historian. Over the course of her lifetime, she developed and maintained an extensive knowledge of her family ancestry and the history of the community where she was born and raised. If you wanted to know who was who and whether you were related to this or that person, she could be relied upon to have the answer.
During her lifetime, her family legacy blossomed with the addition of her two grandchildren, Jaylon and Celeste, in whose lives she was very active and whom she truly adored. Ginger was predeceased early in life by her sister, Sharon, who passed from this life at the tender age of four years. In addition to her children and grandchildren, Ginger’s memory will be honored, cherished and kept alive by her surviving siblings, Loyce Pumphrey, Debra Singleton, Ragis Fontenot, Jr. , and a large, extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. Her spirit of generosity and care will continue to inspire and guide those who were blessed with the gift of her presence in their lives.
The service to celebrate Ginger’s life will be held on June 4, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the St. Francis of Xavier Catholic Church, located at 4600 Reed Road, Houston, Texas.
Immediately following the service, a reception will be held in the church parish hall.
She will be laid to rest at Sacred Heart Catholic Church Cemetery located at 3730 FM 160, Raywood, Texas.
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