Dessie Kennedy

Dessie Irene Baker Kennedy, 76, of Benton Harbor, passed away on Thursday, July 13, 2006, at Orchard Grove Extended Care Centre.A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 P.M., on Monday, July 17, 2006, at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Pastor Mark Manning officiating. Burial will follow in North Shore Memory Gardens, Coloma. Friends may visit with the family from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M., on Sunday, July 16, 2006, at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to the family. Friends may send the family a condolence message or sign the guest book on-line at www.starks-menchinger.com. Dessie was born to Hermon and Stella (Raymond) Mott on March 14, 1930, in Caruthersville, Missouri. She moved to Southwest Michigan in the early 1950s. She married Walter T. Baker and he preceded her in death. She married Elton Kennedy and he preceded her in death. She is a member of the First Baptist Church in Coloma. Dessie had a passion for cooking, it made her feel complete. This is one way she would show her love to her friends and family. The more we ate the more Love she felt. Nobody ever left her home hungry. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends. Dessie is survived by her children, Terry (Betty) Baker of Watervliet, MI, Janet (Jerry) Culbreath of Benton Harbor, MI and Dennis (Heather) Baker of Two Rivers, WI; brothers, Clarence (Jerrie) Mott of Lawrence, MI, Charlie (Faye) Mott of Benton Harbor, MI, and Lee (Linda) Mott of Stevensville, MI; sister, Polly (Ray) Rankin of Iron Mountain, MI; nine grandchildren; and nineteen great-grandchildren. Dessie was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Walter; second husband Elton; son, Richard Baker; one great-grandchild; brothers, Carl Mott and Roy Mott; and sisters, Mildred Clemons and Bonnie Hayes.