Reaction continues to State Representative's death

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Reaction to the death of longtime Alabama State Representative Dr. Yvonne Kennedy continued on Sunday.

Kennedy died Saturday morning in a Birmingham hospital; no cause of death was immediately released but sources said Kennedy had recently been ill.

Friends and other visitors made their way the representative’s home on Glennon Avenue on Sunday to pay their respects.

Democratic Party leader Pat Eddington said she last saw Kennedy at the Democratic Convention in September, but she was aware Kennedy had been ill recently.

"So we've all been praying for her and thinking about the family. We'd hoped it wouldn't be this fast," Eddington said. "It's a real loss to this community in particular."

The deceased's family released a statement on Saturday that said Dr. Kennedy passed away that morning at UAB Hospital in Birmingham. 

Kennedy underwent major bypass surgery in 2006. Longtime friend and fellow legislator Representative James Buskey said he was aware of Kennedy's battle with heart problems.

"Dr. Kennedy has a history of heart disease in the family. I found that out about four or five years ago when Dr. Kennedy had quadruple bypass surgery," Buskey said.

Annette Baker said she's known Dr. Kennedy for many years, and she will be missed.

"It's going to be a loss to the whole community, and just all over the United States, because Dr. Kennedy was known all over the United States, and it's going to be a great loss to everybody," Baker said.

There was no word Sunday from the family on funeral arrangements.

A spokesperson at Bishop State Community College said the school expects to hear from the family Monday about the funeral arrangements.