Charleston, WV Dentists

Dr. Carl Lemley Kennedy and Mary Eugenia Cross were married on June 6, 1929. Shortly after, Dr. Kennedy graduated from the University of Louisville, School of Dentistry. In July 1929 they came to Montgomery, WV after purchasing a dental practice from a retiring dentist. Dr. Kennedy's practice soon grew to ten employees. His ability to organize, delegate and supervise promoted his practice to one of considerable state and national acclaim.

In 1952, he rose through the ranks to become the President of the WV Dental Association. He was one of the State's dental leaders that, during this time frame, hired the Association's first Executive Secretary and established a Central Office. He also influenced the decision to locate the Annual Session permanently at the Greenbrier after the first meeting was held there in 1952.

It was during this time that Dr. Kennedy worked with others to locate the WVU Medical Center in Morgantown. He recruited Dr. J. Ben Robinson, a native West Virginian, esteemed educator and retired dental dean of University of Maryland, School of Dentistry to become the first dean of the West Virginia University School of Dentistry (WVUSD).

Dr. Kennedy joined the Montgomery Lions Club and was soon elevated to the office of International Director and then to the position of Chairman of the Board of Governors of Lions International. He was encouraged to seek the position of International President but chose instead to attend to the duties associated with serving his growing family and dental practice.

Dr. and Mrs. Kennedy had three sons, Carl, Nat and Hugh. Of their eight grandchildren, three became dentists and one of these three married a dentist. One great-grandson is a dentist and he also married a dentist. All of the dentists are WVUSD graduates except Dr. Carl Lee Kennedy, a 1957 graduate of Northwestern University.