JUNEKENNEDY
Church service for June 'Big Mom' Kennedy, age 97, of Morton, Texas, were scheduled for 11:00 AM, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026 at First Baptist Church in Morton with Rush Coffman of Morton and Danny Barker of Lubbock, Texas officiating. Burial followed in Morton Memorial Cemetery. Billie June (Woods) Kennedy entered into this life on Jan 15th 1929 to Zona and Wilbur (Shorty) Woods in Morton Texas. She passed from this life into the glory of heaven and the Communion of Saints on Feb 11, 2026 at 97 years old. She insisted that Billie was a boys name and always introduced herself as “Just June”.
“Just June” graduated from Morton High School in 1946, and married Keith Kennedy on Oct 20th, after his deployment in the Philippines and served in an Occupational Force in Japan after WWII. She was a poor farmer’s wife and prayed and lamented over the land they had been given. “Just June” gave birth to Barbara June in 1947, Vicki Jeanne in 1953, and Kellye Kay in 1960. She always said, “You haven’t lived until you’ve raised three girls!”
“Just June” raised her family in love, compassion and an unwavering faith. Jesus Christ was the love of her existance and she lived every standard of her life by His statutes. She strived to serve God in her humility, her speech, and her big love. She is proceeded in death by her parents and two sisters, Beth White Compton and Betty Banta, and her beloved husband of 49 years, Keith Kennedy. Along with her daughter, Barbara Amerson, her grandson KC Amerson, Grandson in law Ronnie Hargett, and a great grandson Festus Griff Amerson.
She is survived by her daughter Vicki Catoe and her husband Toby, her daughter Kellye Kuehler and her husband Donnie, grandchildren Tiffini Hargett, Amanda Pool and Elizabeth Amerson. Great grandchildren include Jade Rogers and her husband John Michael, Jonna, Noah, & Beaux Pool, Keith, Aislinn,and Ceatlee Amerson, Logan and Grayson Hargett. One great great granddaughter Ofelia June (Junie) Rogers who is her precious namesake.
At the birth of her first grandchild, she bacame lovingly known as 'Big Mom.' All of the grandchildren/ family called her “Big Mom” and she became “Big Mom” to extended family and friends. Though nothing made her more furious as when her husband Keith would affectionatly call her 'Large Mother.' “Just June” was active in her community through the school where her daughter was a principal, her beloved First Baptist church as a leader in the Mary/ Martha Sunday school class and prayer committee, and as an avid member of the Cochran County Historical Society where she loved being named the “oldest living born and raised member of the county.” She loved the land she lived on and her tenants stewarded it with a cotton crop every year.
The last three and one half years, Big Mom lived at the Kent County Nursing Home, where she made many friends and was greatly loved. Our family is grateful for the daily love, care and compassion shown to her from the staff and administration. “Just June” was a homemaker, a nurturer, and a prayer warrior. 'Just June' was a daughter, a wife, a mama, a sister, an aunt, a friend, a grandmother, a great grandmother, and a great great grandmother. Even though our hearts are a bit hollow, we rejoice in a life well lived. A life of simplicity, integrity, and little things done with great love. She wasn’t “Just June.” She was June Kennedy. She was Big Mom. A lady. A force of quiet nature. She was a legacy. A legacy that will endure through the ages. Just as she did.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Big Mom’s honor be made to the first Baptist Church in Morton, 202 SE 1st St Morton, TX 79346 or the Kent County Nursing Home PO Box 86, Jayton, Texas 79528.