October 22, 1981 - January 28, 2026

Born in Gainesville, Florida, to John Kelly Kennedy and Margaret Hoffses Kennedy.

She grew up in Winter Haven, attended public schools, and graduated from Winter Haven High School in 2000. She earned her AA degree from Polk Community College and her LPN certification in 2015 from Traviss Vocational School in Lakeland. She was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church of Winter Haven.

She worked at AdventHealth Bond Clinic in Winter Haven, in Dr. Kenaan’s Obstetrics & Gynecology office.

She was preceded in death by her son, John Clifton Skipper; her father, John K. Kennedy; her grandparents, William J. and Josephine Derryberry Hoffses; her paternal grandparents, Robert L. and Marjorie Janet Sparkman Kennedy; her aunt, Jeanne K. Miller; and her uncle, Robert L. Kennedy.

Mary Alice was named after her maternal great-grandmother, Mary Alice Turrentine Derryberry.

She is survived by her daughter, Emma Grace Skipper; her sisters, Kathryn Ann Kennedy of Tampa and Patricia Kennedy Varnes (Beau); her nephews, James and Jaxson, of Georgia; and Megan Anne Kennedy. Her mother, Margaret Hoffses Kennedy. Her aunts include Josephine “Auntie Jo” Hoffses Miller (David) of Auburndale and Jan K. Chambers (John) of Temple Terrace, along with an uncle, George Curren Miller, Jr., of Lake Alfred, and many cousins.

Mary Alice's final act of kindness was the gift of life through organ donation.

An honor walk was held at Lakeland Regional Medical Center.

A memorial service will be held on February 28 at 2 pm at First Presbyterian Church, 637 6th Street NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881, officiated by Dr. Steven R. Negley.

The family requests donations to First Presbyterian Church, 637 6th Street NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881, rather than flowers.