Joe Leonard Kennedy

Abingdon, Va.

Joe Leonard Kennedy, 79, passed away on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at his home in Abingdon, Va.

He was born on October 30, 1946, in Russell County, Va., to Maxie and Sandoe Kennedy. Joe was a 1965 graduate of Abingdon High School. In 1971, he received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Emory & Henry College and later completed a Master of Business Administration at East Tennessee State University.

Joe was a loving father, grandfather, husband, and brother. He was a lifelong resident of Abingdon, a member of Abingdon United Methodist Church, and a longtime employee and professor at Virginia Highlands Community College.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; several brothers and sisters; his son, Jason Bryan Kennedy; and countless beloved pets.

Survivors include his wife, Peggy McKee Kennedy, of Abingdon; his son, Justin Kennedy and wife, Laura Ball, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; his granddaughter, Cleo Love Kennedy, and grandson, Luca Kennedy, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; his sister, Leona Lebo, of Abingdon; his brother, Sandoe Kennedy and wife, Rebecca Kennedy of Bristol, Va.; and many nieces and nephews.

Near the end of his life, Joe was lovingly cared for by his wife, Peggy; Amedisys Home Health Care; and Ballad Health Hospice.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, November 6, 2025, from 11:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. at Abingdon United Methodist Church, with the funeral service to follow at 1:00 P.M., officiated by Rev. Paul Seay and Rev. Glenn Patterson. Interment will follow in procession to Forest Hills Memory Gardens.

Pallbearers will be D.G. Owens, Dave French, Evan Bowles, Wade Arnold, Nathanael Kennedy, Mitchell Lewis, Randy Duncan, and Steven Hobbs.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Joe’s name to Abingdon United Methodist Church (Capital Campaign), 101 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210, Phone 276-628-2321, https://www.abingdonumc.org/; or, Happy Tails Animal Rescue of Washington County, PO Box 95, Abingdon, VA 24212, Phone 276-608-6028, https://htar.org/.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.frostfuneralhome.com.

Frost Funeral Home and Cremation Services is honored to serve the family of Mr. Joe Leonard Kennedy.