A Celebration of Life service will be held beginning at 12:30 p.m. on Sat., July 19, 2025, at Imago Dei Church, 9200 Strickland Rd., Raleigh, NC 27615. A brief burial service will follow at Raleigh Memorial Park. The family will receive guests for visitation beginning at 11 a.m., Marilyn's favorite time of day.
Marilyn was born on February 3, 1932, in North English, IA, to the late Robert William Davisson and Gayle Chapman Davisson. She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Dean Richard Kenny, Sr.; a sister, Gwenivere Davisson Robison; two brothers, Robert Davisson and William Davisson; and a daughter, Dr. Sheryl Sue Russell. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She is survived by three children, Dr. Dean Richard Kenny, Jr. (Sheryl), Marsha Kenny, and JoEllen Boggess (Jeff); eleven grandchildren, Chuck Brown (Catherine), Erica Kimrey (Erik), Courtney Pollard (Preston), Girma Russell, Sean Whittaker (Katerina), Deanna Whittaker, Richard Kenny (Lindsey), Bryce Kenny (McKenzie), Dr. Rhett Kenny (Lindsay), Chase Kenny, and Alyssa McDuffie; and 15 great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Kenny graduated from North English High School in 1949 where she enjoyed singing, drama, playing music, basketball, and being on the newspaper and yearbook staff and student council. She then attended Iowa Wesleyan College where she met and married her husband, Dean. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Concord College in 1974 and a master’s in education (communications) from West Virginia University in 1980. She taught elementary school for approximately 22 years in Mercer County, WV. She was an active member of many organizations during her life: Zeta Tau Alpha (75 years), Phi Delta Kappa, Women of the Moose, West Virginia Retired Teachers Association, and Benevolent and Patriotic Order of Does. Mrs. Kenny also was recognized as Phi Delta Kappa “Educator of the Year.”
She and her husband were members of the Princeton Presbyterian Church in Princeton, WV, before retiring to North Carolina. They then became members of the North Raleigh Church of the Nazarene where they were both active with the S.W.A.T. (Servants with a Tool) ministry. Marilyn will always be remembered for her smile and humor and will be greatly missed by all.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either Pulmonary Fibrosis or to Transitions LifeCare, by following the links below, under 'Donations'.
If you would like to leave a favorite memory / story of Marilyn, or a message of condolence for her family, you may do so below, within "Add a Memory'.
