Bio-Minerd, OsaBellKennedy

Osa Bell "Ocie"
(Minard) Kennedy
(1882-1972)

Ocie married William Boyer Kennedy (1878-1976) on July 28, 1903. He was age 24, and she 21. The informant for their marriage license was Melchur Male of Barbour County. Rev. Israel Moats, who performed many marriages in the family, conducted the ceremony at the groom's residence.

It is not known if William was closely connected with Osa's aunt, Ruth Ann (Minard) Kennedy but there must have been some family link, even if somewhat distant.

The Kennedys lived at Moatsville, and had eight children -- Virginia "Jennie" Newman, Delbert Kennedy, Raymond Kennedy, Luther Kennedy, Gaston Kennedy, Herbert Hoover Kennedy, Ralph Kennedy and Rev. Isaac "Brother Ike" Kennedy.

When the 1910 census was taken, Boyer and Osie lived near Philippi, where he worked as a general farmer. The 1920 census shows the family, now with four children, near Meriden in Philippi. In the 1930 census, Boyer is shown as a farmer, with seven young sons in the home.

Street fair in Philippi, early 1900s. Would the family have been welcome in such a free inter-mingling of society?

Ocie was named in the newspaper obituary of her sister Icie Kennedy in 1962, and was living in Philippi at the time. She died in 1972, at the age of 90.

Boyer outlived her by four years, and was blind. He passed away in August 1976, at age 98, with burial at Welch Cemetery.

Daughter Virginia "Jennie" Kennedy (1912-1991) married George Allen Newman ( ? -1979). They resided at Enon Valley, Beaver County, PA, and had eight children -- Harvey Newman, Frank Newman, Robert Newman, Justine Croston, Peggy Jo Dalton, Patricia Croston, Buster Newman and Cecil Newman.

Jennie outlived him by 12 years, and died at the age of 78 on Sept. 26, 1991, at the Medical Center of Beaver. At the time of her death, she and George had 16 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Son Raymond Kennedy (1913-1950) married 31-year-old Ollie Croston ( ? - ? ), the daughter of Hans Croston, on June 10, 1933. Ollie had been married once before, and brought several children to the marriage, Amos Croston, Junior Croston and perhaps others.

Ray and Ollie went on to have at least one son of their own, Edward Kennedy Sr. Two other children were involved, but their precise connection is not yet ascertained -- Nina Norris and Lou Wagner.

Ray died of unknown, mysterious causes at the age of 36 on May 2, 1950, and was buried near his parents in the Welch Cemetery. His brother Luther was the informant on Raymond's death certificate.

Son Edward Kennedy Sr. (1939-2010) was born on March 4, 1939, in Philippi. At the age of 29, he moved to Canton, Stark County, OH. He married Nadine McCausland ( ? -2003) on Aug. 30, 1969, when he was age 30. They resided in Sebring, near Canton, and attended the Alliance First Assembly of God. They had eight children -- Kevin Speakman, Deborah Minor, Vicki Tignor, Ray Kennedy, Ron Kennedy, Edward Kennedy Jr., Doug Speakman and Rick Speakman. Said the Canton Repository, Edward worked at "the American Steel Foundry, where he was employed as a welder and a lift truck operator. [He] was a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles. In his pasttime, he enjoyed hunting fishing and camping." Nadine passed away on Oct. 24, 2003, following 34 years of marriage. Edward also suffered the deaths of their son Kevin Speakman and grandson David Allen Tignor. Edward passed away at the age of 71, on March 7, 2010, at Mercy Medical Center. The Repository said he was survived by 13 grandchildren, several great grandchildren, and "several others that lovingly referred to him as 'Dad'." He was laid to rest at Highland Memorial Park, with his son Edward Jr. officiating at the funeral with Pastor Michael Ping of Alliance First Assembly of God.

Major landmark in Canton -- the memorial to slain United States President William McKinley

Son Luther Kennedy (1916-1984) was born on April 30, 1918. On Aug. 1, 1951, at Simpson, Taylor County, Luther wed Druzilla Mayle (1924-1984), the daughter of Joseph and Missouri Mayle. Luther was age 32, and Druzilla 27, at the time of marriage. Rev. Fred Decost, minister of the Olive Hill Church, performed the nuptials.

The Kennedys were longtime residents of Moatsville and had four children -- Marty Kennedy, Paul Kennedy, Susan Mayle and Connie Tabler.

Luther "was a former employee of Barbour Produce Company and attended the West Hill Wesley Methodist Church," reported the Barbour Democrat.

Luther only survived her by a few months. He died in Broaddus Hospital in Philippi on July 13, 1984, at the age of 67. Rev. Mark Miller and Rev. Murray Maley officiated at the funeral, with burial at Welch Cemetery.

Son Isaac Kennedy (1919- ? ) married Lillie Poe (1919- ? ), the daughter of William A. "Bill" and Melvina Poe. The ceremony was held on July 2, 1937, at Philippi, led by Rev. O. Cunningham of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Isaac and Lillie both lived at Moatsville at the time of marriage, and circa 1981-1984, they remained in Moatsville.

Son Delbert Kennedy (1920-1981) was born on Oct. 12, 1919. At the age of 26, on Feb. 18, 1945, he wed Helen Marie Mayle (1923- ? ). The ceremony was performed at Meriden, near Philippi, by Rev. M.C. Harris of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Helen was the daughter of Lloyd and Rosa Mayle, and brought a son to the marriage, Roy H. Mayle.

The Kennedys resided in Moatsville, Barbour County, and had five children of their own -- Sonny Lee Kennedy, Wilma Mayle, Shelia Rose Kennedy, Trevia Marie Kennedy and Wendy Lou Kennedy.

Delbert was "a retired construction worker, a veteran of World War II and a member of Olive Hill Methodist Church," said the Barbour Democrat.

Delbert passed away at age 61 on April 22, 1981. Rev. Kenny Reed and Rev. Winfield Mayle led the funeral, followed by burial at Welch Cemetery.

Son Sonny Lee Kennedy (1947-2007) was born on April 8, 1947. He made his home in Moatsville and later moved to Canton, Stark County, OH. He died on Oct. 6, 2007, at the age of 60.

Daughter Wilma Lee Kennedy (1950-2008) was born on May 9, 1950 in Philippi. She wed Frank Howard Mayle on Sept. 1, 1972. They lived in Moatsville and two children -- Shannon Michelle Parker and Kevin Brian Kennedy. Wilma was employed as a nursing assistant in local personal care and nursing homes. She attended the Olive Hill Wesley Methodist Church. Wilma passed away following an extended illness, said the Elkins (WV) Inter-Mountain, at the age of 58 on May 8, 2008. She was placed into eternal rest in the Welch Cemetery, following a funeral at the Olive Hill church led by Rev. Winfield Mayle, Rev. Wilbert Mayle and Duke Kennedy.

Daughter Trevia Marie Kennedy wed Sheldon Kennedy and made their residence in 1981-2008 in Canton.

Daughter Wendy Lou Kennedy was in Moatsville in 1981. By 2008, she had wed Barry Howard and made their home in Conway, SC.

Son Gaston Kennedy (1923-1997) was born on May 30, 1924. On Oct. 19, 1947, the 24-year-old Gaston married 22-year-old Garnet Ruth Poe, daughter of William A. and Melvina Poe. Rev. M.C. Harris, of the African Methodist Church, officiated.

The Kennedys and Poes must have been close, as Gaston's brother Isaac married Garnet's sister Lillie.

He relocated to Koppel, Beaver County, PA, possibly to labor in railroad manufacturing or steelmaking operations there. He apparently moved back to Philippi circa 1984, but may have maintained connections to Beaver County.

Son Ralph Edward Kennedy (1925- ? ) was born on Sept. 3, 1925 in Moatsville, Barbour County. At the age of 23, on Nov. 8, 1948, he married cousin Violene Croston (1928- ? ), daughter of Earl and Laura "Fez" (Mayle) Croston, and granddaughter of Frank Mayle. As with several weddings of Ralph's siblings, Rev. M.C. Harris of the African Methodist Church led the ceremony.

Philippi's Alderson Broaddus College, where Herbert Kennedy was employed and retired from the maintenance department

Son Herbert Hoover Kennedy (1928-1999) married Shelda Jane Kennedy ( ? - ? ). They resided on Frost Run Road near Philippi.

He "was retired from the Maintenance Department of Alderson-Broaddus College and was a former employee of the National Iron & Metal in Canton," said a local newspaper. "He conscientiously attended a number of area churches but considered his home church to the the Pentecostal Church of Ford Run. He was known by his many friends for his open and friendly manner."

Herbert died at the age of 71 on Dec. 14, 1999, with burial at the Welch Cemetery following a funeral service conducted by Rev. Winfield Mayle.

Son Rev. Isaac Kennedy (1921-2011) was born on July 20, 1921, in Chestnut Ridge. On July 2, 1937, when he was age 16, he married Lillie Virginia Poe (1917-1994). They had four children -- Velma Adams, Cheryl Rae Kennedy, Jeffrey Kennedy and Vulius Kennedy.

Known as "Brother Ike," Isaac made his living over the years as a carpenter, coal miner and farmer, but was better known as a Christian pastor and teacher. They made their home near Moatsville.

An article in the Elkins Inter-Mountain said that he accepted Christ as his savior when he was in his early 20s, and became a Sunday School teacher and assistant pastor at the Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Church of Olive Hill. He went on to become a Sunday School teacher and prayer meeting leader with the Chestnut Ridge African Methodist Church. Said the Inter-Mountain:

During the winter of 1958, Brother Ike and a group of faithful members began to pray that God would send a minister to the Chestnut Ridge Church and in the spring of 1959, the Rev. J. Frank Peoples came to the community to begin his ministry in the county. At that time, Brother Ike and Lilly joined the Chestnut Ridge Church, and he became the assistant pastor and teacher of the adult Sunday School class. In 1964, the congregation began to build a new building and Brother Ike spent hundreds of hours working on the church and sharing his construction skills. Brother Ike has preached revivals, youth rallies and missionary services and has taken part in or preached funerals for many members of the community. On April 12, 1997, Brother Ike was recognized by the congregations of Peoples Chapel Church and the Ford Run Pentecostal Church and many of his Christian friends for his 50 years of faithful living for Jesus Christ and four decades of ministry in and around Barbour County.

Sadly, Lillie passed away on April 28, 1994, ending a marital union of 57 years. Isaac outlived her by 17 years. He made his home in his final years in Baughman Towers and Mansfield Place, Philippi. He passed away at the age of 90 on Aug. 23, 2011, at Davis Memorial Hospital in Elkins, the last of his immediate family. He joined his wife in eternal repose in Welch Cemetery, with funeral services led by Rev. Winfield Mayle and Rev. Jack Mayle.