Elizabeth Lawhon Kendley

Elizabeth Noble Lawhon “Bibba” Kendley

 Bibba was born on November 11, 1925 (Armistice Day) in Birmingham, Alabama to Harry and Jenifer Lawhon. She was the youngest of three children, growing up in a warm, loving and caring family. She was a voracious reader and spent a lot of time at the local library; wherever she lived. Growing up, she skated on the streets of Birmingham. She also walked or rode the bus or street car wherever she needed to go. Bibba accidentally created her nickname because, when very young, she was unable to say her first name – and “Bibba” stuck.

Bibba graduated from Ramsay High School in the mid-40s and soon met a young Naval ROTC Cadet - George H. Kendley - from Atlanta, GA. George was drafted into the Naval SeaBees (Construction Battalion) after Pearl Harbor, and they married on May 22, 1945. Post-war, George stayed in the Navy Reserves from which he later retired. He was employed as a Civil Engineer and later as a Management Development Consultant. During and after the war, they moved several times (Rhode Island, Kentucky, Georgia, Virginia, Florida, Alabama and back to Georgia, retiring in Fairhope, AL). Bibba worked in Kentucky as a legal secretary and for H&R Block in Georgia and Alabama as a tax preparer and enjoyed working. Bibba has always been very active - first in the Episcopal Church - and later the Anglican Church - wherever they lived. They had three children and Bibba loved being a mother. She is survived by daughter, Alison K. Schemmer (Mark); son, George D. Kendley (Fonda); and son, James L. Kendley. She is also survived by grandson, Brian Noble “Vix” Kendley; grand-daughter, Julia Marie Kendley; their mother, Renee Boudreau, as well as a host of nieces, nephews (great, great-great, and great-great-grand) and friends who love and miss her.

In 1965, Bibba was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis – an auto-immune neuromuscular disease. She was fortunate to have a physician in Panama City, FL who got her diagnosed quickly when presented with the symptoms. Eventually in the mid-70s she went into and remained in remission until she passed away. George died in 2012 as a 42-year Naval Reserve retiree, having been called back to short stints of active duty for BOTH the Korean police action and the Vietnam conflict. Bibba was always very proud of George’s service to our country and in particular, of being a surviving spouse of a World War II Veteran.

Besides being a voracious reader Bibba was an excellent cook and canner, a talented seamstress, knitter, china painter, flower arranger, lap dulcimer player, alto in a local community chorus and church choirs, bridge player, loved to play table games, watch old movies, had the gift of hospitality and friendship and never met a stranger. She was a staunch fan of the Atlanta Braves - win, lose or draw – they were her team! She went on her first cruise when she was 88 and liked it so much she went again when she was 90! The day she decided to stop driving (at 92), Bibba put all of her own transportation in place – including an auto-pay account with a local taxi company!

Until shortly prior to her death, Bibba continued going to the gym twice a week, hosted happy hour at her home one afternoon a week for close friends, played dominoes at the church on Wednesdays, made weekly shopping trips to the grocery store, attended church except during flu season, and worked one morning a week in the Church office. She also went out to dinner once a month with her supper club. She lived at home – alone – by choice – with the help of her children and daily caregivers.

Bibba was a remarkable woman who continued to live a full and rich life filled with faith, family, friends and love. She is who we want to be when we grow up.

A Memorial Service of Celebration of Bibba’s life will be held on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at 11 a.m. at St. Francis at the Point Anglican Church, 17280 Scenic Highway 98, Fairhope, Alabama, followed by a reception in the Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Francis at the Point Anglican Church, P. O. Box 916, Point Clear, Alabama 36564-0916 or Samaritans Purse at samaritanspurse.org.

ARRANGEMENTS BY
WOLFE-BAYVIEW
& CREMATORY, INC.
19698 GREENO RD.
FAIRHOPE AL. 36532
(251) 990-7775
www.wolfefuneralhomes.com