Rachael Kennedy
Our Beautiful Rachael Ann Hardin Kennedy was born on May 24, 1950, in Columbus, Ohio to Ollie and Mary Hardin. Rachael is the oldest of six children born to this union. As a toddler and young child, Rachael traveled often as her father was in the Service. She has lived in Hawaii, Guam, the Philippines, as well as Mitchel Air Force Base in New York, Edwards Air Force Base in California, and Wright- Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. Her father’s final station was at Lockbourne Air Force Base, now Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Ohio; the family had made it back home. Before returning to Columbus, Rachael contracted encephalitis, which left her sick and weak as a young child. However, as she grew up, she became determined not to be seen as less than. She went on to exceed all expectations after her childhood illness.
As a child, Rachael attended Ephesus Seventh Day Adventist Church on Spring Street, in Columbus, Ohio where she was baptized. Ephesus moved to E. 5th Ave, and there Rachael sang in the choir and was part of JUGS (Just us Girls), where the young ladies of the church learned etiquette.
Rachael was educated in the Columbus Public School system attending Lincoln Park Elementary, Barrett Jr. High, and South High Schools. During those school years she sang in the choirs, learned the sport of fencing, and was on the Student Council. She graduated high school as a proud Bulldog, Class of 1970.
Rachael married and had two daughters, Kenyata Renee and Kelli Rebecca. Circumstances arose that sent Rachael and her girls to live in San Diego where she had family. She also found some childhood friends there, Marlene Blake- Fain, Laura Hill, Sundiata Kata, and Marilyn and George Graves.
Living her new, more hopeful life in San Diego, Rachael realized her passion for education and teaching. While working for the Ray & Joan Kroc Head Start, Rachael returned to school and received a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education. After graduation, Rachael was promoted to Center Director. That prompted her to continue her education, going on to receive her Master of Education in Early Childhood and Elementary Education and her Master of Psychology. Rachael worked her way up in the San Diego Unified School System working in various positions before retirement, as an aide, a teacher, and a principal.
Rachael loved her Church families at Maranatha and 31st Street in San Diego, as well as Beacon of Hope in Columbus, Ohio. Rachael held multiple offices at Marantha. At the time of her passing she was Business Manager, Head Deaconess, Sabbath School Superintendent, and a Bible Worker.
Rachael was a kind, loving soul. She was once told that she’d never met a stranger. It was true. Rachael had such a friendly, outgoing nature which allowed her to have a conversation with every person whose path she crossed. Rachael has always had the ability to bring joy to others, even when she was not at her best she could lift spirits. She was upbeat and happy – her happiness was contagious. In her final days in a hospital bed, as long as she was able, she was laughing and making her family laugh.
For the past few years Rachael was a regular volunteer for the Food Programs at both 31st Street and Maranatha Churches. She loved the opportunity to help people, and she most certainly enjoyed spending those long days volunteering with her little brothers and her friends.
After losing her daughter Kelli, Rachael joined a grief group, Compassionate Friends in San Diego. She found solace in gathering together and sharing many heartfelt stories with others who too had lost loved ones.
Family was important to Rachael. She would do anything for her children. She was close to her siblings and talked to many of them every day (in addition to the sibling group chat). She kept in touch with cousins far and wide. She was always excited to hear about a new baby being born and to learn from her sister about a newly found relative through genealogy tracing. Rachael loved her family.
Rachael’s ability to remain a source of optimism during difficult times helped many a friend and family member. She will forever be remembered for her sweet speaking voice and her small stature. She will also be remembered for her surprisingly fiery comebacks and her ability to stand her ground. She was a treasure, to love her was a blessing, it feels that she is gone too soon.
Rachael was called to rest on Friday, June 20, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of Love, Compassion, Kindness, and Strength. She is preceded in death by her parents, Ollie and Mary Hardin, and daughter, Kelli Smith. She is survived by her daughter, Kenyata Smith, Stepdaughters, Yovonna Kennedy and Tanisha Neely (Tamiko), and numerous sons and daughters-in Love. Many Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren. Sisters, Sharon Hardin-Harris, Marsha Hardin Russell (Raymond), and Lisa Hardin-Wingfield, and Sister-in-Love, Julihana Madison. Brothers, Ollie Hardin and Mark Hardin. One Uncle, Curnell Elliott (Her Favorite). Nephews, Melvin Harris, Justin Hardin, Christopher Wynn, Richard Hardin, and Edward Davis. Nieces, Sheila Harris, Sasha Hardin, Tiffani Hardin, Latasha Smith, Tamika Hardin, Nicole Chung (John Paul), and her niece-in Love, Monica Gilmore. Several Great Nieces and Nephews, Great-great Nephews, and the numerous cousins who she grew up with on both her grandmothers’ porches on Washington Ave. in Columbus, Ohio and Doyle Ave. in Mobile, Alabama. She is loved and will be missed by her lifelong friends Dennis Byrd and friend Maxine Edwards.