Sidney Kennedy Iii

Sidney G. Kennedy III, aged 79, died May 1, 2015, at Baptist Gulf Breeze Hospital, of complications of pneumonia. Sidney was born October 9, 1935, in Pensacola, Florida, the son of Dr. Sidney G. Kennedy Jr. and Eleanor Ennis Kennedy. He grew up in Pensacola and graduated from Pensacola High School in 1953. He was an Eagle Scout. He graduated from Emory University with a Bachelors in Fine Arts in 1957, and from Florida State University in 1959 with a Masters in Music. Sidney was on the music faculty at Pensacola State College (formerly Pensacola Junior College) beginning in 1959, later serving as chairman of the Music Department and then as Dean of Fine Arts, retiring in 2000. He also served as interim director of the Pensacola Choral Society. He was in music ministry throughout his entire career, serving at Heights Baptist Church, East Hill Baptist Church, interim at First Baptist Church, and more recently as handbell choir director at Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church during retirement. Throughout his career, Sidney offered his students and choir members education and encouragement, and he was a wonderful, positive influence in many lives, including those of his children, grandchildren, and younger siblings. Surviving are his wife Susan Pohlman Kennedy of Pensacola; his son Sidney Dalton Kennedy and wife Michele of Gulf Breeze; his daughter Susan Kennedy Yonehiro and husband Layne of Pensacola; and two grandchildren: Cameron Kennedy of Gulf Breeze and Samantha Yonehiro of Pensacola. He is also survived by his brother William Kennedy (Virginia) of Jonesborough, Tennessee, and his sister Eleanor Kennedy (Lee Abel) of Little Rock, Arkansas. He is also survived by nephews Charles Kennedy of Birmingham, Alabama, and Paul Kennedy of Brooklyn, New York; by niece Corinne Sappington (Mike) of Little Rock, Arkansas, and nephew Warren Abel of Athens, Georgia; and by grandnephew Wyatt Sappington of Little Rock, Arkansas. The funeral will be held at Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church, 75 Fairpoint Drive, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561, at 11:00 AM Thursday May 7, 2015. The family will have visitation prior to the funeral at the church at 10:00 AM. The family wishes to express its appreciation to the nurses in the intensive care unit at Baptist Gulf Breeze Hospital for their expert and compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Music Department at Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church or the American Red Cross. Arrangements entrusted to Rose Lawn Funeral Home. You may offer condolences, share memories and sign the guestbook at www.roselawn-fh.com.

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