Mrs. Melanie Outterbridge Kennedy

First, let’s say her name: Melanie Denise Outterbridge Kennedy. Known affectionately as “Neice,” Denise transitioned from earthly labor to Heavenly reward on Thursday, August 27, 2026, in Greenville, North Carolina. It was 9:14 a.m. News of her leaving spread quickly -- phones ringing, texts chiming, voice messages crowding in: “Neice just passed.” An exchange of words on social media between her cousins, Ion Outterbridge and Torva Outterbridge Felton, captures what we are all feeling: “This hurts.”…“Yes. This really hurts.” It feels important to say that she is already greatly missed. Many of us can still hear her voice, or did just hear it. Her aunt, Reverend Jackie Parks, remembers the last words she heard her say. “Hi, Aunt Jackie!” It was “Neice” calling out to her, even as a team of emergency medical technicians wheeled her into an ambulance for what would be her final trip to the hospital. Honestly, there’s something about knowing she’s no longer here in this physical space that requires some rethinking, some recalibration. We’ll have to find new moorings – and we’ll start by celebrating her life. Born in Pensacola, Florida, in 1961, “Neice” was all brightness and beauty and light. She was the middle child of three precious children born to her parents, high school sweethearts Warren and Mary Outterbridge. Raised in Greenville, North Carolina, in the Cherry View Community, “Neice” is the godchild of Ella and Alton Harris and god-sister to Amber Harris. She enjoyed a beautiful childhood there in her home on Contentnea Street, where she was steeped in the rhythms and stories being passed down from beloved elders and family “historians” like her Grandmother, Mrs. C.K. Marshmond “Granny,” and her Grandparents John Ivery Outterbridge and Olivia Outterbridge (the storied “Momma OO” and “Daddy OO”). She embarked on her spiritual journey at an early age, becoming active at York Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, where she sang in the “Children & Youth Choir” under the direction of Mrs. Marshmond. She also ushered there as a youth, already starting to exhibit a genuine love for people. As a teen, she shined as a contestant in the 1974 Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) “Miss Fashionetta Pageant.” Later, she would step up her community service even further, serving on the official Usher Board at York Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church until health problems forced her to scale back her attendance. These early experiences were foundational pillars in her life, helping shape who she would eventually become – a radiant young woman described as loving “every inch of her family.” And, we loved her right back. In 1979, she became a graduate of J.H. Rose High School in Greenville, NC. And, here’s where we have to brag on her just a little bit. It was during these years that she caught the eye and admiration of a number of young men who were content to simply trail along behind her, following her home from school, their hopes floating upward like giant thought-bubbles that everyone could read. But, “Daddy Outterbridge” was not having all that! You see, she was beautiful, like her Mamma. But, with “Neice,” it went well beyond just that because she was also comical, like her Daddy. Yes; she could make you L-A-U-G-H! From her cousin, Mabel Wilson: “Neice was always down for a good laugh! We would laugh and talk trash all night long. She had a great sense of style – her hair impeccable, always fashion forward.” Yes; let it be said that “Neice” was the family “It-Girl,” the proverbial life of the party. But, that was counter-balanced with an incredible sense of humility; sometimes even a quietness. “She had a sweet voice and laugh,” says her cousin Byron Wilson. “She was so, so kind.” After graduating from high school, she attended North Carolina Central University in Durham, NC. Later, she graduated from Deshazor’s Beauty School, also in Durham, where she earned a degree in cosmetology. She later graduated from Pitt Community College, receiving her second cosmetology degree from Mitchell’s Hairstyling Academy. “She was very self-motivated,” says her aunt, Lillian Outterbridge. Of course, her degrees were certainly impressive. But, the real talk is that “Neice” could fry up some hair! And she was a specialist at multi-tasking, moving seamlessly from one client to another, to another. Some of us watched her do this, operating in complete authority and confidence -- like when she nimbly handled the coifs for her sister Veronica Stokes’ entire bridal party, slaying multiple heads – presses, roller sets, short hair, long hair, “slick-backs” – all in a matter of hours. “She was a true artist in hairstyling,” says her uncle, Freddie Outterbridge. And from her aunt, Reverend Jackie Parks: “She was very artistic. It runs in the family.” Finally, after 27 years, while residing in Durham, NC, she retired from the cosmetology profession as a true Master Stylist. From a gathered word-cloud of remembrances offered in loving reflection, a beautiful family portrait of “Neice” begins to emerge. She’s described as being just plain “sweet,” someone who would literally “give you the shirt off her back.” From her uncle, Marvin Outterbridge: “She was always willing to help others in her own way to get something done.” The word “happy” comes easily from her brother, Anthony Outterbridge. And, from her sister, Veronica Stokes: “You’ve heard the saying about not letting the sun go down on your anger? Well, Neice wouldn’t even let five minutes go down before she’d pick up the phone and call you.” Lorraine Outterbridge, her aunt, describes her as a “beautiful soul.” Her cousin, Ion Outterbridge and Torva Felton, remembers her “energy” and that she could always be counted on to greet you “with a smile and a hug.” For Dion Wilson, her cousin, a simple “heart” emoji and the word “loving” describes who and how she was and, from Becky Chase my beautiful cousin Neice. A common thread is woven through these memories, and it’s this: “Neice” was herself a blessing. And she was blessed, having been endowed by God with a wondrously “giving spirit.” Truly, she leaves behind a legacy of devotion to her family, her community and her church. Together, we’ll continue to add to our “family portrait” of her, so that it might hang brightly on the beating walls of our hearts. So that she will never be forgotten. To that end, left to cherish her memory is a loving and devoted husband in Julius Anthony Kennedy, of Greenville, NC; one big brother and “protector” in Anthony Outterbridge, of Greenville, NC; one fiercely loyal sister and “best friend” in Veronica Stokes and brother-in-law Randy Stokes of Greenville, NC; an uncle and aunt in Freddie Outterbridge and Lillian Outterbridge of Greenville, NC; an uncle and aunt in Marvin Outterbridge and Lorraine Outterbridge of Greensboro, NC; an uncle in Robert Outterbridge, of Columbia Maryland; an aunt in Reverend Jackie Parks of Greenville, NC; aunts in Sarah Outterbridge of Greensboro, NC; Beverly Outterbridge of Beaumont, CA, and Gwen Outterbridge of Largo, Maryland; one honorary sister in Patricia Grimes, of Greenville, NC; one nephew in Curtis Outterbridge, of Durham, NC; one nephew, in Gregory Allen of Durham, NC; one niece in LaShawn Gibbs, of Greenville, NC; one great niece in Jayla Phillips of Greenville, NC; one great nephew in JaSir Wright, of Greenville, NC; one adopted nephew in Joshua Lodge, of Greenville, NC; and a host of loving cousins, relatives and friends. In addition to her grandparents, “Neice” was preceded in death by her parents Warren Outterbridge and Mary Outterbridge; her aunt, Ivery Mae Wilson and uncle, Frank Wilson; her aunt, Gloria Coker; her uncle, renowned artist John Wilfred Outterbridge; her uncle, Frederick Steve Parks; her uncle, Adolphus Chase; her sister-in-law Patricia Outterbridge; and her honorary uncle, Bill Mooring. From her own generation of the “Cousin Crew,” the family’s boisterous grouping of stair-stepped cousins spread throughout the South and the East and West Coasts, her transition follows those of “first cousins” Annette Outterbridge Roundtree Bassey and Darrin Outterbridge; “second cousin” Nicholas Outterbridge and “third cousin” Aaliyah Outterbridge. She is eternal now. From her uncle, Robert Outterbridge: “She’s like a rainbow in the sky.” Her cousin, Tami Outterbridge, says: “She’ll always be remembered for the sunshine she could call up with her presence. No matter what the circumstances, her light could not be put out.” Melanie Denise Outterbridge Kennedy. Her life embodied the sweet promise laid out in Psalm 30:5: “Weeping may tarry for the night, but JOY cometh in the morning.” She was truly irrepressible. Indeed, “Neice” was our “JOY-MAKER.” *This tribute piece to “Neice” was lovingly written by her cousin, Tami Outterbridge of Beaumont, CA, and is gifted to the family who will always love her.

Mrs. Melanie Outterbridge Kennedy

July 7, 1961 - August 27, 2026