Lieutenant Colonel Arneatha Kennedy Martin
Nurse, Educator, U.S. Army Veteran, Healthcare Advocate, Founder and Retired CEO, of the Center for
Health and Wellness (Now known as "HealthCore Clinic")

Arneatha Kennedy was born to the marriage of George W. Kennedy and Idella "Della" Gilliam
Kennedy on October 23, 1944, in Malvern, Arkansas. She was the youngest of 4 children born to this
union. Arneatha was affectionately nicknamed as "Nee Pie". Arneatha and her 3 siblings spent most of
their time at the Kennedy family home, which their Father built with his own hands. He also built a
restaurant on their property, where the older children learned to prepare meals, and sell the meals on the
weekends. Arneatha was a "quick-study"- learning how to do things, from watching her parents and
her older siblings. The Bible says that "even a child is known by his ways", and Arneatha became
known as a very thoughtful, respectful and intelligent child. She developed very strong family values
and ties, mostly because of her maternal grandfather, affectionately known as "Poppa". He was their
family's well-respected patriarch. He made sure that the younger parents in the family received all of
the support they needed, to keep their families strong. He laid the foundation for the development of
Arneatha's commitment, loyalty, and strong ties to family, as well as having a strong sense of
"community".
In 1956, the Kennedy Family relocated to Wichita, Kansas, seeking better opportunities. Arneatha
became an outstanding student at Horace Mann Junior High, and at East High School. She successfully
maintained her strong desire to be a successful scholar, which propelled her to receive her High School
Diploma in 1961 from Wichita East, at the young age of 16. The year of 1961 was not only an
academic milestone for Arneatha- but it turned out to be a romantic and life-changing milestone as
well, because she had met Dwain Martin and he turned out to be "the love of her life". Arneatha was a
young bride, but was always "ahead of her time" in wisdom and maturity. After a brief, but serious
courtship, they were united in marriage. And the rest they say, is history...Dwain and Arneatha were
blessed to share more than 50 wonderful and productive years, together. They joyfully welcomed their
first born child-Regina Lynn. After receiving substandard treatment at the County Hospital during her
labor and delivery- this horrific incident ignited a strong passion within Arneatha, and she vowed to
make it her lifework to achieve better healthcare for the underprivileged and under served people, due
to financial and racial inequities.
In 1964, she and Dwain joyfully welcomed their 2nd child- Cynthia Laurie, and their family was
complete. As a family-oriented person, Arneatha remained focused on finding the right balance in her
life, to keep her family unit strong. She and Dwain launched their careers as young newlyweds, to
provide for their family. Arneatha's first medical job was as a Phlebotomist. Later on, also in 1964,
Arneatha completed her Licensed Practical Nurse Training, and she was 1 of only 2 Black students in
her class. She was still fully engaged and devoted to her roles as Wife, Mother, and Homemaker, all
while working to meet her goals. She was determined to be a role model for her daughters, and to
impress upon them the importance of doing your best, in all you set out to achieve. Her daughters
fondly recall her taking them with her as she made house calls, to tend to the needs of others. They
saw firsthand the evolution of their Mother's professional career. Regina and Cynthia also recall that
chores and homework always came first, upon returning home from school. Arneatha's husband
Dwain, remembers how much passion and energy she always put into planning unforgettable family
outings and vacations. Arneatha was also a woman of faith, and was a faithful member for decades,
while serving at the Saint James Missionary Baptist Church. She was a pioneer in influencing Saint
James as well as other churches with predominantly black church members, to not only just value
health initiatives, but to also implement them directly within the churches.
In the 1970's Arneatha was a non-traditional student at Wichita State University-a working Wife and
Mother while earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and in 1980 she also earned her Master's in
Nursing. After earning these advanced degrees, Arneatha was employed in various capacities- at Via
Christi as a Development Director, and in several capacities at the former Center for Health and
Wellness; Fundraiser, Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Board Member. She was a beloved
and proud Alumna of Wichita State University, a valued member and Officer of the WSU Alumni
Association, and the recipient of many well-deserved awards and accolades over the course of her
career, and in community service-including a National Black Nurses Award, WSU Alumni
Achievement Award, and one of 10 national honorees of the 2001 Robert Wood Johnson Community
Health Leadership program award. Arneatha was a founding charter member of the Wichita Black
Nurses Association, and a founding charter member of the WSU Nursing Alumni Association. As a
Veteran of the U.S. Army, she retired as a Lieutenant Colonel, after having served in Afghanistan,
during "Operation Desert Storm" as a Psychiatric Nurse in the U.S. Army Reserve's 410th Evacuation
Hospital unit.
Arneatha Martin lived a life full of service, showing mercy and compassion as one of the most beloved
and impactful Community Nurses. Additionally, she inspired many to enter the medical field, as well
as motivating others to join her in the quest to make quality healthcare accessible in under-served areas.
She made a positive difference-as a Nurse, Mentor, Teacher, Fundraiser, Researcher, Supervisor,
Director, just to name a few. Her well-lived life, vision, and steadfast commitment to improving
healthcare, especially in the Northeast Wichita community, was strong enough to ignite and empower
her beloved community to help her achieve her lifelong passion to build a healthcare center to improve
the quality of medical care in the Northeast community. Arneatha faced opposition along the way, at
one point being advised to build the healthcare center elsewhere, other than in the Northeast Wichita
community-but, she never wavered in her resolve and determination. After raising more than $2
million with local support, she and her colleagues, volunteers, and many other supporters proudly
opened the Center for Health and Wellness @ 2707 E 21st Street North (Now known as HealthCore
Clinic) on July 20, 1998. Arneatha's lifework and legacy will continue to be remembered and have a
lasting impact- locally in Wichita, across the state of Kansas, nationally, and beyond.
On August 27, 2022, Arneatha passed away peacefully, surrounded in love by her family, at the family home, in Jacksonville, Florida. She was preceded in death by her parents; Idella "Della" Kennedy, George W. Kennedy, and Stepfather, Matthew Jackson, Siblings; Pearlie Mae Bradford, Minnie Ruth Anderson, and Earline "Phyliss" Wakefield. Arneatha leaves many survivors to cherish the memories of her well-lived life - Her husband, Dwain L. Martin, Jacksonville, FL, 2  Daughters; Regina Martin-Lynch (Husband, Phillip Daniels), Cynthia Martin, Jacksonville, FL, 1 Brother; George Kennedy (Wife, Janice Kennedy), Los Alamitos, CA, Brady Toney, Temple Texas. 3 Grandchildren; Jaezza Bell (Husband, Byron Bell), Jacksonville, FL, Barry Ford Jr., Fort Myers, FL, Robert "Tre" Lynch, Jacksonville, FL, 1 Great Grandson; Byron Elijah Bell Jr., Jacksonville, FL. Special Family Members; Richard Kennedy, Joshua Kennedy, Michael Kennedy, Catrinda Wakefield, and Tracey Fortney.