Biography: Hollis Conway Kennedy, of Little Rock, passed away on December 26, 2009. She was born in Little Rock on February 16, 1932. She was preceeded in death by her mother Mildred Hollis Conway, her father Claibourne Watkins Conway, and her sister Alice Ann Papan. She is survived by her husband James N. Kennedy, Jr.; her daughter and son-in-law, Malinda H. Toll and Adam D. Toll of Atlanta, Georgia; her granddaughter, Caroline Savin Toll, Atlanta, Georgia; her son A. Conway Kennedy of Boston, Massachusetts; her son J. Neilson Kennedy, III of New York City, New York; her sister and brother-in-law, Carolynn Coleman and Buddy Coleman of Little Rock; and her nieces and nephews, Leslee Papan Brown, Angelynn Crews Hardcastle, Claibourne Curran Crews and Curran Papan. She was the great-great-granddaughter of Arkansas’ last territorial Governor William Savin Fulton. She was the great-granddaughter of James Sevier Conway, the first Governor of Arkansas and the grand-niece of Elias Conway, the fifth Governor of Arkansas. She graduated from Central High in 1949 and has been very active in organizing class reunions. After Central she attended Mary Baldwin College in Staunton Virginia, the University of Arkansas where she was a member of Chi Omega, The Musical Theatre Academy of New York and UALR. She was a lifetime member of Christ Episcopal Church where she was a choir member at age 5. She was happiest when singing. She was a founder and enthusiastic member of the Happiness Singers, a volunteer singing group of ladies who perform at nursing homes and assisted living homes. She was active in local theatre productions, playing major roles in The Boyfriend, Pajama Game, Applause, Dames at Sea, Carnival, Sound of Music and Mame. She did numerous solos on local radio shows and in various revues and amateur productions. She produced many humorous skits for special occasions and greatly enjoyed making people laugh. In 1961 she married FBI Agent Jim Kennedy and after living in California and New Jersey in 1964 they moved back to Little Rock. She was a real estate agent for a decade. She was active in The Aesthetic Club, Colonial Dames of Arkansas, the Little Rock Junior League, and the Country Club of Little Rock. In 1990 she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, but was able to continue to lead a relatively normal life. A memorial service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at 10 a.m. with a reception following. The family requests that memorials be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society or Christ Episcopal Church, 509 Scott Street, Little Rock, AR 72201. Cremation arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home. www.ruebelfuneralhome.com
I am so sorry about your mother's passing. I have many fond memories of coming to your house before and after gymnastics - she was always there with a smile on her face. It was always fun to go to your house - it was like home. You, your brothers, father, and family are in my prayers.
Sincerely,
Brandi