Ella Johnson Kennedy

Ella Johnson Kennedy passed away peacefully on November 25, 2025, at the age of 87, in Jacksonville, Florida.  She was born and raised in Key West, Florida by her parents, Walter and Ella G. Johnson. She graduated from Key West High School in 1956 and worked in civil service as a key-punch operator at Boca Chica Naval Air Station.    She married James V. Kennedy, USN in July 1958.  As a military family, they moved from Key West, Florida to NAS Port Lyautey, Morocco, Africa.  Other duty stations included MCAS Beaufort, SC, Norfolk and Virginia Beach, VA, Quincy, IL, and Jacksonville, FL.   Following retirement, they moved to Charleston, S.C. and founded Charleston Fire and Safety Co.      

After her marriage ended, she returned to Orange Park, FL, where her home was always available to share and care for her family.   She never met a stranger and loved to talk with others about her faith and the miracles she had experienced. She liked sharing life tips, especially on deals and coupons.  “Lady luck” was always on her side with countless winnings of door prizes, raffles, Bingo games and slot machines.   She loved to have travel adventures especially to Hawaii, New York City and Las Vegas.  

Ella Johnson Kennedy was a devoted mother who poured her love into raising her four children and is survived by her sons, James (Jim) V. Kennedy Jr., (Sharon), David W. Kennedy, Katherine (Kathy) Kennedy Hagedorn, and Sandra (Sandy) Kennedy Erb, (Jaime).   Her seven grandchildren, Brandy Kennedy Elbinger, Sherry Kennedy Tobin, (Nicolas), John Hagedorn Jr., (Tiare Bugarin), Jared Hagedorn, Jeremy Kennedy, Ainsley Erb and Jacob Erb.  Her seven great grandchildren, Nathaniel Elbinger, Layla Moraniec, Samuel Tobin, Nathan Tobin, Levi Tobin, Benjamin Tobin, and Andrew Tobin.   

Her remains will be placed in the Johnson family plot in the Key West Cemetery with a private family ceremony.  

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ella’s memory can be made to The Clothes Closet and Food Pantry (https://www.ccfpop.org/donate) in Orange Park, Fl.   

Crevasse’s Simple Cremation is honored to serve the Kennedy family.