Paxton Wayne Kennedy
Birth: November 18, 1992
Death: January 4, 2016
Obituary
Paxton Wayne Kennedy, a resident from Rehobeth, Alabama went home to be with the Lord on Monday, January 4th, 2016. He was 23. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, January 9th, 2016 at Ward Wilson Funeral Home with Reverend Troy West officiating. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Friday, January 8th, 2016 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. We will be receiving family and friends at 5869 U.S. Highway 231 in Dothan.
Paxton was born November 18, 1992 in Dothan Alabama to the parents of Wayne and Susan Kennedy. He graduated from Rehobeth High School in 2012. When he wasn’t spending time outdoors with his dog Sheba, he was entertaining his cousins, Westin and Gavin Grubbs. Paxton was a fun loving person who always enjoyed making others laugh.
Paxton was preceded in death by his grandfather, Thomas Shipes and uncle Tommy Shipes.
Along with his parents, Wayne and Susan Kennedy, survivors include one brother, Braxton Kennedy; grandparents, Roger and Betty Kennedy; grandmother Betty Shipes; great-grandmother, Mary Kelly; four uncles, Wayne Shipes, Bo Shipes (Michelle), Lane Kennedy, Dale Kennedy (Charlotte); cousins, Shealee Grubbs (Wesley), Cecily Shipes, Summer Shipes, Kaley Kennedy, Cody Kennedy (Courtney), and Dustin Kennedy (Heather) and a special friend, Debbie Strickland.
Serving as active pall bearers will be Wayne Shipes, Lane Kennedy, Dale Kennedy, Brandon Bridges, Doug White, Wesley Grubbs, Michael Arriaga, and Michael Richards.
Ward Wilson Memory Hill Funeral Home, Cemetery & Crematory 334-792-4194, is in charge of arrangements. Visit us at www.wardwilson.com.
Criminal Details
DothanFirst.com
Valencia Jones – January 9, 2016
Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza held a press conference on January 9, 2016, announcing the arrests of the following individuals:
- Pamela Henderson Whitaker, 45, of Cottondale, Florida
- Eric Lance West, 35, of Slocomb, Alabama
- Joshua Steven Nance, 37, of Dothan, Alabama
- Dama Nell Clark, 41, of Dothan, Alabama
All were charged with capital murder in the shooting death of Paxton Wayne Kennedy, 23, which took place on Hartzog Road in Wicksburg, Alabama. Nance and Clark are in custody at the Bay County Jail awaiting extradition back to Alabama.
Whitaker and West will face capital murder charges under the complicity law, labeling them as accessories to the crime. Valenza said they have identified the shooter and motive, but declined to release that information, as the case remains under investigation. He did say, however, that all of the suspects knew the victim, he was the intended target, and to his knowledge, there is no blood relation between the victim and suspects.
Authorities said a 911 call on January 4, 2016, led them to the scene where Kennedy was found dead in a Nissan pickup truck from a single gunshot wound to the head.
Valenza said tips and other information led investigators to Panama City, Florida, where sufficient evidence was collected and helped them identify and charge the suspects.
Multiple law enforcement agencies were involved, including the Bay County and Jackson County Sheriff’s Offices, the U.S. Marshal Gulf Coast and N.W. Regional Task Forces,, the Panama City and Dothan Police Departments, ATF P.C. Unit, Drug Enforcement Administration, ALEA, and Houston County District Attorney’s Office.
Valenza said the motive may be released in the next few days at a preliminary hearing.
Testimonials
July 29, 2017:Paxtons smiling face all the times we chilled together I’ll never forget I’ma cherish every second I had with u. You singing Kevin gates John Gotti song you were always so happy n full of life I love n miss u more n more everyday Paxton Kennedy I’ll never let u go….
July 28, 2017:So, Pk Had My Car One Day…He Had Put A New Radio In, We Were Cruisin Down The Road & This Car Had Pulled Out Infront Of Me…Blew My Horn & It Was The Sound Of A Train. Not Only Did He Put A New Radio In, He Also Put In A Train Horn. Needless To Say..He Thought It Was Hilarious. – “I See The Moon, The Moon Sees Me ?”
July 28, 2017:The weekend before Halloween when we all rode around in the trailblazer. Paxton asked if he could drive and I let him, he had the biggest grin on his face. We jammed out all night and rode around like we didn’t have a care in the world. We had the best time. Another night when just me and pk rode around in my brothers eclipse. Before I knew the sun was coming up and I had to go to bed lol. We just talked about life and anything and everything. He truely is missed. That big ole smile will always be remembered.
July 28, 2017:Paxton was truly one of a kind, had a smile that would light up the room and the most beautiful green eyes. We grew up very close more like brother and sister than cousins. He taught me how to ride a four wheeler and a dirt bike. Some of my favorite childhood memories were with him. Every Tuesday night we had a fish fry at Nana and Papa’s. During the Summer months I would get to spend the night with him. I loved it, we always took a 2 liter coke to bed and would drink it during the night, right out of the bottle. He was my little Pac Man. When my husband and I bought our first house he always came to spend the night. We would stay up late playing video games and then I would take him to the mall the next day. He loved American Eagle. We grew apart for a little while but once I had my boys, we picked right back up. He loved them so much. His little buddies is what he called them. They still talk about him and Sheba his dog. Most nights I dream about him and even wake up talking to him.
July 27, 2017:Well it’s been a year and a half. I miss you more and more everyday. I love you!! I sure wish I could hear you voice. My heart still hurts for you. I feel so empty with out you!! I miss our hugs. I miss you saying don’t worry about me mama!! I love you. No matter what Paxton I’m gonna make sure they all pay… justice for Paxton..