Dickinson Baptist Church
Clarke Baptist Association
Favorite Bible Verse: Philippians 4:13
Favorite Hymn: “How Great Thou Art”
Hobbies: Photo scrapbooks and tennis (champion in college)
Family Status: Widowed after 61 years of marriage to Hannis, six brothers and one sister (all deceased)
Since becoming a Christian as a young child, Tommie Dee Bradford Kennedy has spent her life serving the Lord. Kennedy taught Sunday School for more than 50 years and at age 94, still unlocks Dickinson Baptist Church each morning to ring the church bell, something she did for years alongside her husband.
Q: When did you come to know the Lord?
A: I accepted the Lord at the same time as my best friend. … I was baptized when I was 8 years old at an outdoor pool by the church. It was a pretty freshwater spring. It just won my heart. I was not satisfied unless I was doing something for the Lord.
Q: How have you been involved in church through the years?
A: My husband and I always unlocked the church and rang the bell. I still do that. I live in a small community and went to church and Sunday School every Sunday. As I grew older, I was a Clarke County director of young women’s auxiliary. I’ve been active in Woman’s Missionary Union, and I was missions study chairman. I helped with Vacation Bible School, sometimes as a director.
Q: What have you gotten from those ministries?
A: It’s been the joy of my heart. Praying for the missionaries was a joy, as was anything that had to do with the church. Through the years, I have grown more to love the Lord and love to serve Him.
Q: What have been some of the demands of the ministries?
A: It’s not necessarily a demand, but (in preparation), I’ve read my Bible every day since I was able to read, and my husband and I had prayer every morning. We always prayed out loud. You wouldn’t call that a demand but we did that. I still get on my knees every day and thank the Lord what He has done for me. I don’t do anything that would keep me from being away from church on Sunday.
Q: What difference has being a Christian made in your life?
A: It gives me a feeling of being inspired and happy because I know the Lord has saved me. It’s just a blessing to me, to everything that I do and say. When I pray and ask the Lord for blessings, I mean to listen to what He says and do what He wants me to do.
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