Frances A. Williams Kenney

Frances A. Kenney of Merrillville passed away Tuesday, August 16, 2011. She was born January 23, 1928 in New Rochelle, N.Y. to Rosena Dowling and Jack Palava. She attended and graduated from Isaac E. Young High School where she met and married her husband, Hubert Kenney, on June 4, 1948. From this union was born a total of seven children, consisting of five sons and two daughters. Frances was a member of the Mt. Carmel AME Church throughout her high school years, singing in the youth choir, pastor's choral group and was president of the youth ministry. It was here she was first ordained and became an evangelist. Soon after uniting with her husband, she traveled the country extensively as a career military spouse for more than twenty seven years. In 1974, upon moving and relocating to Gary, IN, Frances became a member of the Agape Ministries, joined Women's Aglow Fellowship where she became president of the Gary chapter twice. She was also elevated to Vice President of Ministries on the Northern Indiana Board, Women's Aglow Fellowship. Frances was also a member of the women's prayer group and bible study. She and her family became members of Great Bend MB Church for a short while before joining Family Christian Center where she and Hubert were coordinaters of Care Fellowship Ministry and also became elders of the church. Frances was preceded in death by her brother, James Haskell, and her parents. She leaves to mourn her death her devoted husband, Hubert Kenney Sr.; five sons: Hubert (Claudette) Kenney Jr., Alan L. (Peggy) Kenney, Daryl J. (Darlene) Kenney, Vance R. (Carla) Kenney and Darwin S. Kenney; two daughters; Karen M. Black and Renae R. Kenney; 14 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and a host of relatives and friends. Frances was loved by all and will be greatly missed. Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 22, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. DIRECTLY at Family Christian Center, 340 45th St., Munster, IN with Pastor James Utley officiating. Interment will follow at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens, Schererville, IN. Friends are invited to meet with the family on Sunday, August 21, 2011 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 8178 Cline Ave. (one-half mile south of US 30) Schererville, IN. Memorial contributions may be made in Frances' loving memory to the American Cancer Society.