Mary Ellen Kennedy, age 84, 1126 East Erwin Road, Erwin, passed away Sunday, August 17, 2014, in the Unicoi County Memorial Hospital. She was a daughter of the late Bascom Thomas Whitson and Emmaline Jones Whitson. Ms. Kennedy was born in Relief, NC and had lived in Wilmington, DE before making her home in Erwin in 1989. She had worked for Christiana Care VNA in Delaware as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Ms. Kennedy attended the Assembly of God Church. Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Brown and Tom Whitson and a sister, Mae Steadman. Ms. Kennedy is survived by four daughters, Susan Mayr (Tracy) of Brooklyn, NY; Patty Twilley (Tom) of Newark, DE; Carol Mayr of Wilmington, DE; and Judy Mayr of Tuscaloosa, AL; her devoted sister, Virginia Brotherton of Erwin; and four brothers, Bill Whitson (Imelda); Ben Whitson (Sandy); Timothy Whitson (Saundra) all of Erwin; and Bob Whitson (Christy) of KY; four grandchildren, Dustin (Natalie); Lindsay (T. J.); Laura and Evan; great grandchild Anthony and unborn great grandchild Niccilo. Funeral service will be held at 12:30 P. M., Wednesday, August 20, 2014, from the Robert Ledford Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends from 11:00 A. M. until the hour of service. Reverend Bill Ponder will officiate. Music will be provided by Inez Chandler. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Committal service will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. Online condolences, photos and memories may be shared with the family through our complimentary, interactive Book of Memories at www.ledfordfuneralhomes.com. Robert Ledford Funeral Home, 720 Ohio Avenue, Erwin, is privileged to serve the Kennedy family. (423) 743-1380.