W. Craig Kennedy, Jr.

          Wilton Craig Kennedy, Jr., 88, died July 28, 2024, in Florence, SC at McLeod Hospice House.

          Born in Spartanburg, SC to the late W. Craig and Emmie Pitts Kennedy, Kennedy grew up with a love of music, hunting and fishing, all lifelong passions.  Craig was involved in scouting, ultimately earning his Eagle Scout award – setting an example which all three of his sons followed.  He graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Management in 1958.  During a Clemson – Winthrop dance, he met and fell in love with Carol Louise Suhrstedt, whom he married in 1960.

          Upon graduating from Clemson, Craig worked at Springs Cotton Mills and the SC State Committee for Technical Education before beginning a career in Industrial Development in Darlington, SC in 1965.  He eagerly accepted a role as the Wayne County Economic Development Director in 1966.  With his wife and two oldest sons, Craig moved to Goldsboro, NC – a special place for the family – and one they would always call home.  During his 22 years in Wayne County, Craig became a leading Industrial Developer in the state of North Carolina.  He served as President of the NCIDA and successfully chaired a 1976 statewide committee to change the State constitution allowing the issuance of industrial revenue bonds.  Craig continued his career in Albemarle, NC in 1987 for Stanly County, where he retired in 1991 from Industrial Development.

          Retirement allowed Craig the opportunity to dedicate more time to his passions of making and teaching stained glass art, growing orchids in his Turner Greenhouse, and enjoying the Mountains of West Jefferson in Ashe County, NC.

          Standing at 6’5”, Craig was a large man with a big personality that made a memorable impression on those he met.  He was affectionately known to his close friends and family as “Souee,” a nickname bestowed on him by his Goldsboro poker buddies during a game of “Pig Poker.”  He embraced his new handle and “upped the ante” by developing a skill for cooking and presenting his version of eastern NC style charcoal smoked “whole hog barbecue.” Along with close friends, Souee hosted these “Pig Pickin’s,” complete with his custom made “Souee sauce” on a custom BBQ grill.  It was a sight to behold…Craig in his Clemson hat, overalls, greasy apron and big ol’ grin!  He entertained and served fellow local and state developers, church congregations, and his grandchildren at many graduation events.

          Hard work was an expectation for all their children, as for over 12 years Craig awoke at 5:30 a.m. to roll newspapers for his sons’ paper routes – which they delivered daily before school, their work in tobacco or cutting and selling firewood.  While the family celebrated holidays together in Ashe County, Souee’s lifelong love of the Carolina coast ensured summer fishing vacations in Atlantic Beach/Morehead, and biking and beach bocce in Hilton Head Island.

          In addition to supporting his children’s activities, Souee honored his communities in numerous ways, serving on the Vestry at St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Goldsboro and Christ Episcopal Church in Albemarle.  He was active in the Episcopal churches of Holy Trinity and St. Mary’s in Glendale Springs and West Jefferson, NC.

          Craig was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Dr. Sally Kennedy Slocum, and daughter Alicia Kennedy Mathis.

          He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Carol S. Kennedy of Florence, SC; sons Wilton C. Kennedy III (Bess) of Roanoke, VA, James H. Kennedy (Mary) of Davidson, NC, and Raymond F. Kennedy (Bridgett) of Florence, SC; seven grandchildren:  Adair, Lucas, Katherine, Clay and Sean Kennedy, Kennedy and Zane Mathis; nephews Trey Suhrstedt (Kathryn) and Andy Slocum (Samantha); brother- and sister-in-law Fred and Donna Suhrstedt; and son-in-law Dwight Mathis.

          The family is forever grateful to the staff at The Manor Retirement Community and McLeod Hospice House for their wonderful care and compassion.

          In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

          A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday afternoon, August 31, 2024 with a funeral service at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 1, 2024, at Holy Trinity Church, both in Glendale Springs, NC.

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