Caddo County Obituaries - Imogene Kinard Kennedy
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Submitted by:  Gene Phillips <genephillips@usa.net>
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Conroe Loses  Former  Columnist and Retired Genealogy Librarian 

The genealogy community has lost a valiant ally, when Imogene Kinard Kennedy 
passed away on May 19, 2000. She began her personal genealogy in 1959, and 
when she retired in April 1992, she had served Montgomery County Library for 
nineteen years.

Imogene Kinard Kennedy was born September 22, 1928 in Anadarko, Oklahoma, to 
Ira Neal Kinard and Thella Mae Smallwood.  She attended Cameron College in 
Lawton, Oklahoma, where she met her husband Leon Kennedy. In 1960 they moved 
to the Houston area, where Jean worked at Clayton Genealogical Library, starting 
in 1968.

Jean was hired at the Montgomery County Library in 1973.  In 1976 she was appointed
head of the Genealogy Department, which was to be formed from materials pulled from 
the existing library collection.  This had been a dream of hers for many years.  She 
was able at the same time to bring about the establishment of the Montgomery County 
Genealogical & Historical Society.

This organization  has since become the official friends group for the Montgomery County 
Genealogy Department.  Since its inception the society has donated in excess of $150,000, 
in money and materials, as well as countless hours of volunteer service. 

In 1988, Jean was the first recipient of the Montgomery County Genealogical Society's 
"HALL OF FAME AWARD"  in recognition of her many accomplishments, one of these being the 
publishing of three books. Her book titled Genealogical Records In Texas is considered 
the definitive book on researching Texas county records and is still in publication 
today.  She coordinated the Houston Genealogical Institutes in 1978 throughout 1980, 
taught beginners to advanced genealogy classes, was a sought-after genealogical speaker, 
and authored the genealogy column "Shaking The Family Tree" for the Conroe Courier in 
the 1970's.  

Imogene is survived by four daughters, two brothers, eight grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild, 
and numerous other friends and relatives.   

It was her desire that any memorials be given to the Genealogy Department through the 
Montgomery County Genealogical & Historical Society.  Anyone wanting to donate can send 
their check to MCGHS P. O. Box 867 Conroe, TX  77305-0867