Cindy Kendrick was welcomed to her heavenly home on Wednesday, December 28, 2022.

The first of four daughters born to Cecil B. and Reba Turner Smith, Cynthia Joy Smith was born on May 6, 1946, Cindy grew up in the Belah-Fellowship Community. She graduated from Jena High School in 1964 and earned her Bachelors degree in Elementary Education from Louisiana College.

Known for her love of children, Cindy was a teacher at Fellowship Elementary School where she taught for 27 years before retiring in 2007. She was honored to receive the "Teacher of the Year" award several times in her career. Her years spent teaching were considered one of the true joys in her life. For several years she owned and operated Kendrick Gallery of Art where she displayed and sold her own artwork along with works from local area artists. She would continue her love of education by teaching art classes for both adults and children. Cindy will forever have a special place in the hearts of her family and friends and the children she taught over the years.

Throughout her life, Cindy was an active member of the church. She served as pianist for Temple Baptist Church where she and her first husband also led the youth ministry. She later returned to Fellowship Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School and Bible School classes. She served as Organist for Ruby Chapter #72, Order of the Eastern Star when the chapter was operational. In recent months she has been instrumental in acquiring the information needed to re-establish Ruby Chapter #72

As the matriarch of the family, she radiated joy, peace, and love. She loved her family with a full heart and arms that were always open. Cindy would often comment that she had "the perfect arms for holding babies." To her nieces and nephews she was Aunt Cindy or Mamaw Aunt Cindy.

Cynthia Joy Kendrick was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband of 10 years, David Dee Taylor Jr; and her husband of 45 years, John Lester Kendrick; one sister Ann Smith Loveless; and one brother-in-law that she was especially fond of, Jim Bignar.

Those left to cherish her memory are three sons, David Dee Taylor III (Shawnia), Daryl Dean Taylor (Leigh Ann), and Jonathan Lane Kendrick (Kaye); one daughter Darla Deann Poole (Dexter); two sisters, Gayle Smith Miller (Bill), and Jimmie Smith Bignar; three sisters-in-law, Linda Kendrick Carter (Jack), Mary Nell Kendrick Hawley (Maurice) and Margaret Taylor Gray; three brothers-in-law, Ronnie Kendrick (Belinda), Donnie Kendrick (Lori), and Perry Little; eleven Grandchildren, Zach Taylor, Kaitlyn Taylor, David Dee Taylor IV, Haley Taylor, Lakota Taylor, Katanna Taylor, Lyndsey Taylor Humble, Emily Taylor Brasseal (Cody), Dustin Poole (Lauren), Deana Deann Poole, Jonah Lane Kendrick; eight Great Grandchildren; a Godchild, Candace Miller Hailey (Andrew); and a host of nieces and nephews. Cindy's love for family extended to a special cousin, Diane Slade (Chuck), whom she affectionately called sister.

Visitation will be held at Fellowship Baptist Church on Monday, January 2nd, from 5pm - 7pm. A Memorial Service to celebrate Cindy's homecoming will be Tuesday, January 3rd at 10 am at Fellowship Baptist Church, officiated by Bro. Shad Tibbs, with the eulogy presented by Bro. Johnnie Phillips and special music by Scott Windham.

Graveside services will be held as a private family event.