Obituary

Betty Kennedy Knight Carr

August 9, 1931 - July 25, 2025

Beloved mother and grandmother, Betty Kennedy Knight Carr, passed peacefully at her adopted home in Huntsville, Alabama, surrounded by family on Friday, July 25, 2025. Betty was born August 9, 1931 in Franklinton, Louisiana, and was a lifelong resident of Washington Parish until recent times when she followed “her boys” to Alabama.

Preceded in death by her husband, Layton L. Carr, and her siblings, Hastel Joseph Kennedy, Elvin Walter Kennedy, Hershel H. Kennedy, James Q. Kennedy, Ouida Kennedy Troxler, Nell Kennedy Singleton, John P. Kennedy, and one granddaughter, Christy Knight Bitzer

Survived by her sons and their wives, William J. (Rusty) Knight, and Carolyn, and Kenneth P. (Dusty) Knight, and Joan, grandchildren, Bryan and Grace Knight, Phillip and Ashley Bitzer, Jason and Heather Knight, Jon and Amanda Knight, and Rebecca and Michael Rahaim and one brother, Louie C. Kennedy

Mrs. Betty left home at the age of 16 to start life as an adult. She was emancipated legally so that she could enter the adult work world at the Washington Parish Clerk’s Office. Much of her work life would be centered around the Washington Parish Courthouse, where she worked with the Clerk of Court, the Assessor, the Young Adult Program, and other public entities. She retired in 1999 as Chief Deputy Clerk of Washington Parish.

Life was not all work and no play for Mrs. Betty. She and her late husband Layton loved to shop for the many antiques and treasures that she collected throughout her lifetime. There was never an antique store too remote to evade their attention. She also loved to locate old houses “with character” and bring them back to life as rental properties.

Family was central to Mrs. Betty’s life, and she always would let you know how proud she was of “her boys” and their wives. She made clear that she could not have been luckier with her “daughters in love” than if she had picked them herself. She also was very proud of her five grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.

Those who knew Mrs. Betty consistently describe her as sweet and generous. She was known for her kind gestures to friends and strangers alike, and was always willing to help someone less fortunate. She was involved with many local social clubs and charities and enjoyed her time helping with them.

Mrs. Betty was a longtime member of Franklinton First Baptist Church and enjoyed her walk with the Lord. She will be missed by all who knew her, but comfort is taken in knowing that she is reunited with so many of her friends and family who have gone before her to heaven.

The family will hold a visitation from 9:00 am until 11:00 am with the Funeral Service to follow at 11:00 on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at Crain Funeral Home with Rev. Joey Miller officiating. Burial will follow in the Kennedy Cemetery in the Stateline Community.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization that was near and dear to her heart. (www.support.woundedwarriorproject.org)

Pallbearers: Bryan Knight, Jon Knight, Jason Knight, Reggie Kennedy, Teme Singleton, Wayne Kuhn

Honorary Pallbearers: Jeff Kennedy, Todd Singleton, Phillip Bitzer, Michael Rahaim