Dr Octavia Miller Kennedy

Dr. Octavia Miller Kennedy, Ph. D 1929-2023 Dr. Octavia Miller Kennedy, Ph. D, devoted wife, aunt, friend, and educator passed into eternal rest on April 18, 2023 at Chateau De Notre Dame in New Orleans, Louisiana. Octavia was born on April 29, 1929 in Edgard, Louisiana. Over her 93 years on this earth she resided in several places, including New Orleans, Louisiana; Buffalo, New York; Phoenix, Arizona; Stafford, Texas. No matter where her adventures and education took her, she always considered New Orleans her home. Dr. Kennedy was an advocate for education. Her primary education began in the 7th Ward of New Orleans at Valena C. Jones School. Dr. Kennedy was a proud Alumni of Xavier Preparatory School and Xavier University of Louisiana. While at Xavier University she became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Her educational endeavors did not stop there as she received her Masters of Science in Guidance and counseling from Indiana University in 1956 and Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Buffalo in 1973. During a span of forty years, Octavia was woman of multiple careers—a teacher, a counselor, professor, consultant and volunteer. She touched many lives at various organizations such as, Fifth Ward School (Reserve, LA), Andrew J. Bell School, Loyola University of New Orleans, Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), and the Archdiocese of New Orleans, just to name a few. Octavia was preceded in death by her late husband Wilbur V. Kennedy, Sr. parents Louis and Lebora Smith Miller, siblings Louis Miller, Ethel Mae Baudy, Bernard Miller, and Milton Miller Sr.; nephews Herbert Baudy, Jr. Blake Miller, Sr., Lawrence Miller, and Armand Mercadel, Sr., niece Deborah Miller. Octavia leaves behind to carry her legacy her nieces Carolyn Mercadel, Alana Miller, Terrell Miller, Yolanda Miller, and Gaynell Baudy; nephews Milton Miller Jr. (Anne), Kenneth Miller (Carol), Byron Miller, Winthrop Miller, Kevin Miller, and Louis Miller, caretakers Rachel and Jerry Gutter, honorary daughter Anita McCarthy and a host of great and great-great nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends. Relatives and friends of the family, priests and parishioners of Corpus Christi Epiphany Catholic Church and St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church, members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Alumni of Xavier Preparatory School and Xavier University of Louisiana, also employees of Chateau De Notre Dame, Ochsner Medical Center, Cantium LLC, Mercedes Benz Superdome, New Orleans Catering Company, Joyce Moving Company, Here We Go Entertainment, and Ernest J. Morial Convention Center are invited to attend a Funeral Mass of Christian Burial at Corpus Christi Epiphany Catholic Church, 2022 St. Bernard Avenue on Wednesday, April 26, at 10:00 am. Visitation will be held from 8:00 am to 10:00 am. Interment: St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 3421 Esplanade Avenue. There will be no repast. Arrangements by D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home, New Orleans, LA 70125. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to sign the online guestbook, share memories, and condolences for the family.