Charlie Lee Kennedy knew he wanted to make a difference. Charlie was born in Charlotte, North Carolina on May 24, 1933. He was one of seven children born to Mary Mack Kennedy, a homemaker, and Louis Kennedy, a factory worker. He was predeceased by both his parents and his two sisters and four brothers.  While his parents had limited education and lived in company housing, they always set a great example for their children.

Charlie always had a thirst for knowledge. While attending West Charlotte High School, he found a mentor in one of his high school teachers. When he graduated in 1951, he joined the United States Air Force where he served until 1955. While in the Air Force, he worked as a radio operator and learned to speak fluent French.  Upon his return home to Charlotte, he enrolled at Johnson C. Smith University, receiving a bachelor's degree in in 1959. While at JSCU he was initiated into the Rho Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. While at JCSU he tutored students in French and thought seriously about becoming a teacher. He knew he wanted to help children who were just like him. He ultimately decided to become a physician because his mother was often ill, and he admired the doctors he had seen making house calls.

He nearly missed the opportunity to become a physician. When he was accepted at Meharry Medical College, he was given 24 hours to get to Nashville to claim his spot in the entering class of 1959. His family did not have the money and could not get a loan from a bank. His parents asked the man who ran the store in his neighborhood if he could help them. Charlie was given the money and arrived just in time. Charlie often related this story to help his family and others understand that you never know who may be of help to you. Also, if you help others, you may make an impact on their lives in ways you never imagined. While at Meharry he met a lovely nursing student from Florida, Willie Mae Alexander. They married after his graduation in 1963. They moved to Winston-Salem, where he completed his internship and one year of a general practice residency at the Kate Bitting Reynolds Memorial Hospital. He then learned that the Bowman Gray School of Medicine of Wake Forest College and North Carolina Baptist Hospital had decided to integrate beginning with the Pediatrics department. He became the hospital's first black resident. He found the Chief of Pediatrics and others in his department and residency to be very supportive.

Upon completing his residency in 1967, Charlie opened his own practice in East Winston to address the needs of underserved populations. He applied his love of education to his own children, the children and teens in his practice and other children he did not know personally. Over the years he built his practice, bringing more health care professionals into East Winston. He eventually sold his practice to Baptist and retired in 2009 . Charlie volunteered and provided financial support to many organizations throughout the community, created a scholarship fund for needy students at Johnson C. Smith and built awareness of the importance of supporting organizations like the United Negro College Fund. He is most closely associated with the "Evening of Elegance" which was one of the most successful fundraising events for the United Negro College Fund, raising $250,000 annually.  Charlie was   honored on the national level in 2003 with the UNCF's President's Award because he had raised more than $2 million. He has also received honors and awards from organizations in the Winston-Salem community and had received the North Carolina Pediatrics Society Award. In addition to being a lifelong member of Omega Psi Phi, he was also a member of Sigma Pi Phi (The Boule) and the Bachelor Benedict Club.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Willie Mae Kennedy; his daughter Stacy Kennedy; and his son, Douglas Kennedy. His youngest son, Daryl, is deceased. He also leaves to cherish his memory a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

Charlie Lee Kennedy wanted to make a difference, and he did.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the United Negro College Fund and the Wake Forest School of Medicine for the Charlie L. Kennedy-Lawrence D, Hopkins, MD Fund for Graduate Medical Education, c/o Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Relations, Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC 27157

There will be no public viewing at the funeral home.

Private funeral services will be held Friday, September 3, 2021. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery.

The funeral service can be live streamed at https://vimeo.com/event/1254914/2a1c3d8e86 beginning at 11:00am Friday, September 3, 2021.