Lauren Kennedy

Lauren Alice Kennedy, 67, of Blue Springs, MO, passed away, Monday, October 9, 2023 at Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence.

She was born May 23, 1956 in Kansas City, MO, a daughter of Gilbert Ray Campbell and Marlayne Close Beemer.

Lauren was a 1974 graduate of Estanica High School in Costa Mesa, California. She later attended Metropolitan Community College where she was an active member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and then she received her masters degree from Avila University. Lauren worked as a licensed professional counselor for many years and was a practicing life coach. She was a member of Community of Christ Church and was currently attending First Baptist Church in Blue Springs. Lauren’s spiritual life was one that was most important to her. She enjoyed visiting her friends in California, and riding around in convertibles with the top down. If you were ever once a friend of Lauren’s you were always a friend. Her passions included music and writing. One of her life goals was to write her own book. She loved hosting parties and family gatherings.

Survivors include two daughters, Jacqueline Marlayne Kennedy (Rick Wilen) of Sioux City, IA, Sierra Suzanne Kennedy (Madison Hardin) of Florence, KY; one brother Richard Alan “Rick” Beemer (Connie) of Kirkwood, MO; one sister Marla Gay Franklin of Smithton, and her step-mother Emma Campbell of Sedalia; nieces, nephews, and a host of close friends that Lauren referred to as her extended family.

Lauren was preceded in death by her mother and step-father, Marlayne and Richard Beemer; her father, Gilbert Ray Campbell; and one sister, Carla Sue Henderson.

Visitation will be held 9:30 a.m. until service time on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at Heckart Funeral Home in Sedalia. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at the funeral home with entombment to follow in the Memorial Park Cemetery Mausoleum. Memorial contributions are suggested to Whittier Alternative School in Sedalia.