Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

August 18, 2024

JULIA KENNEDY WADE

Julia Kennedy Wade died August 18, 2024.

Julia was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, September 18, 1933 to the late Robert Glenn Kennedy and Ruth Tolar Kennedy.

Julia grew up in a small town made larger by a host of cousins and playmates. Beginning with grade school and continuing to her twilight years, her passion was being with the people she loved. As the family extrovert, Julia’s playful spirit–a trait that propelled her through life–led her to make friends like nobody’s business. She might go on a trip with two friends and return with four. There was always room in Julia’s circle for more friends.

Julia didn’t want an obituary listing her clubs, positions, honors, skills, and charitable work–“no bragging, please”–but her food service deserves honorable mention, because Julia Wade could have taught Julia Child a thing or two about Southern cooking. Food was Julia’s love language; preparing it for others was how she showed she cared. Days might start with a big breakfast (eggs, grits, bacon, and toast) and end with mouth-watering comfort food. She was known for her meaty lasagna, crispy macaroni and cheese, Shepherd’s pie (beef, mashed potatoes, and cheese, only), spaghetti and meat sauce, pork chops, fried chicken, consistently good brown rice casserole, tomato pie (with Vidalia onions and mayonnaise galore), beef tenderloin, sausage dressing balls, white rice with gravy, green beans (with bacon), and on and on and on, but not to ever be forgotten at a meal: hot bread. At Christmas, Julia shared her famous mace sugar cookies and salted pecans.

Julia took on all comers when it came to games and you’d better play fast and follow the rules. Bridge was her favorite game, but she made time for Rummikub, croquet, and at one time, a women’s bowling league at Park Lanes. As for golf, her two holes-in-one speak for themselves, and if dancing were a betting sport, she’d be in the money every time. Even shopping got her competitive juices flowing–“you don’t know what you need unless you go look.”

Julia had opinions and shared them freely, but when disagreements occurred, she never held a grudge, because family and friends were too important. She was set in her thinking about small picture items–for example, haircuts, and what not to wear–but she was open to change on big picture items, like her unwavering support for same sex marriage and gay rights.

Julia was a family cheerleader at innumerable sporting events, recitals, graduations, and presentations, and she excitedly championed the successes of her next of kin. She was always on the go–even the Hospice nurse had to make an appointment to catch her at home–and she loved life until the end.

Julia had a never-give-up attitude, whether it be a good argument, a good cause, or a good battle, like the ones she fought against several serious illnesses, and she learned to live life to the fullest on her own after Ham went before her.

In her alone time, Julia enjoyed television, good books, and her devotionals. Her faith guided her, always. She said near the end, “The good Lord and modern medicine have allowed me to live a long life. I am thankful. I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Julia is survived by her children, Hamlin Landis Wade, Jr. (Janet); Edward Kennedy Wade (Mandy) and Jenny Wade Cianciola (Tim); her grandchildren, Jordan Leary Wade (Julia); Hamlin Landis Wade, III (Angela); William Kennedy Wade (Kallie); Kennedy Chevalier Bajek (Logan); Harper Chevalier Wade; Michael Paul Cianciola; Joseph Charles Cianciola; her great-grandchildren, Jaxson Kennedy Wade; Kamden Elizabeth Wade; Simon Lake Barnard Wade; Jake Hamlin Wade; and her godchild, Jessica Coyne Rodarme (Heath) and their children, Wyatt Heath Rodarme and Hunter Robert Rodarme. She was preceded in death by her husband Ham, her parents, and her brother Robert Glenn Kennedy.

The family is grateful for the excellent medical care and loving support provided by the doctors, nurses, and staff at Via Hospice, Levine Cancer Institute, Perspective Health & Wellness, the Cypress, and the Christ Episcopal Church ministerial staff.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 23, 2024 at Christ Episcopal Church, 1412 Providence Road.  The service will be livestreamed at: https://christchurchcharlotte.org/watch-live-funerals/ for those unable to attend in person.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Christ Episcopal Church and Via Health Partners/Hospice.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204 (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.