Mildred Ruth Culpepper Kennemore, born February 2, 1923, 96 years young, from Atlanta, Georgia, entered into eternal life on November 6, 2019.
Mildred, affectionately known as “Sister,” “Kenny,” “Mildred the Bear,” “Millie,” “Granny,” and “Gran” was in a class of her own. She loved Atlanta, Georgia, and was a true Georgia Peach.
Family was everything to Mildred. Mildred’s priorities through the years were her family and she always provided a stable and loving home for her children. She primarily worked as a bookkeeper for electrical contractors and took great pride in her work.
The second oldest of six siblings growing up during the Great Depression, Mildred learned at a young age to work hard, be a helper, and be thrifty.
Mildred took great pride in her home. She loved riding her John Deere mower and caring for her beautiful yard full of azaleas. She especially loved her garden snake, dubbed “Black Patent Leather.” For years, he lived under the threshold of her back door and greeted visitors. Mildred often gave a stern warning that no harm should ever come to Black Patent!
She loved to spend time in the kitchen. Her mother taught her to cook and she in turn shared her skills with her children. Everyone looked forward to her fried chicken, biscuits, cornbread, and all the southern fixings. She often had a chocolate cake waiting for her grandchildren when they visited.
Mildred was so popular that the Carman family dog was named in her honor. Millie, the white haired Pyrenoodle, proved to be just as stubborn and headstrong as the real life Millie. Mildred loved to remind everyone that Millie was named after her.
She was thrilled to meet her first great grandchild, Aidan, dubbing him a beautiful gift from God. Although she never met her second great grandchild, Hayden Starnes, we know she also would have loved him dearly.
Mildred loved Jesus. She enjoyed being a member at Mountain Park United Methodist Church and had many friends. She especially enjoyed Sunday school class and helping with church dinners and the food pantry. She enjoyed day trips with the seniors group and loved vacationing with family.
Mildred spent her last 13 years living in Driftwood, Texas and the Austin area. Many of her daughter’s friends also loved Mildred with great affection. Several offered great support to her and rallied when her family needed their help.
A common thread from her caretakers was they loved Mildred’s spunk and feistiness. As they visited her in her last hours, each had special stories to share and their own nicknames for Mildred — “Ms. Southern Belle,” “Pistol Annie,” and “Mimi.” We want to acknowledge and thank her caregivers for the kindness and love they gave to her.
She often told us that her “satin sheets” were awaiting her in heaven and God would take her home when he was ready for her. We firmly believe that she is resting comfortably in eternal life and reunited with her loved ones.
She is preceded in death by her father Lloyd Culpepper, Sr., mother Bertie Ruth Culpepper, loving son Alvin Lamar Kennemore, Jr., her first born baby boy, brothers Lloyd and Gene Culpepper, and sisters Vivian Aaron and Linda Cottier. She is survived by her daughter Susan Kennemore Carman, and son-in-law, John Carman; son, William Lloyd Kennemore; grandchildren Jennifer Carman, Emily Carman, Michelle Carman Dabas (Abhishake), Matthew Kennemore, Megan Kennemore, Brian Kennemore, and Allison Kennemore; and great grandchildren Aidan Dabas and Hayden Starnes, and sister Mary Flaig.
Services will be held at Westview Cemetery on Tuesday, November 12 at 2:00 pm, with visitation beginning at 1:00 pm in the chapel. In Mildred’s memory, the family welcomes donations to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.
Mildred’sfamily would like to acknowledge Mike Oldstein, and all of the Magnolia Hospiceteam, for truly being there for her these past months.
