Elaine Kennel passed away this Easter Week 2021 after a long and faith-filled life. She was born in Sheridan, Wyoming on August 18, 1941 to Harry and Opal Long (both deceased) as the middle sister between Audrey Long Anderson and Sylvia Long Scriven who live in Southern California. She grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico and attended the U. of New Mexico before marrying Air Force Lt. Robert Kennel in July 1963.
Elaine leaves a full family here in North Carolina with her husband of almost 58 years Robert (Bob) Kennel and four adult children; Phyllis Kennel of Raleigh; Susan Kennel Bull (Adam) of Asheville; Philip Kennel (Kathy) of Cary; and Robin Kennel Miller (Jeff) of Cary. They also have a foster son Jerome Hartwell (Deborah) of Denver, CO. She also has 6 adult and teenage grandchildren: Nathan Bull, Hannah Kennel, Lindsey Bull, Tate Kennel, Andrew Bull, and Rosie Kennel.
She died peacefully at home in Holly Springs, NC with infection complications interacting with 12 difficult years of Parkinson’s disease. Much appreciation is given to her long-standing Parkinson’s doctors at Duke and her home hospice care from Transitions LifeCare locally.
Elaine was a life-force positively impacting all that she met. Her Christian faith was infectious with Disciples of Christ churches in New Mexico and Southern California; Fairfax Christian in Northern Virginia; Bethany Christian in Arapahoe, NC; and Covenant Christian in Cary, NC. She has also served in almost all congregational leadership positions from Deacon to Elder to Board Chair in local churches as well as many Regional church positions and Women’s Fellowship groups.
Professionally she was a family home-maker deluxe and an early liberated woman (often saying one couldn’t pay her what she was worth). She was also a professional scrap-booker representing Creative Memories making literally hundreds of acid-free albums as well as teaching scrapbooking to others. She created historical accounts for dozens of civic, educational, and church organizations as well as a complete history of all her family. She also creatively documented a dozen family international trips plus annual festivities at beloved Kennel’s Beach, NC.
Elaine was a strong NC State supporter partnering with husband Bob Kennel’s many activities there in academic, athletic, and alumni circles. As well as adult children, she currently has three granddaughters who are recent NC State alumni. She and Bob have lifetime seating rights for baseball, basketball (men’s and women’s), and football. She was also close to the three famous Yow sisters (Kay, Debbie, and Susan). NC State hired Elaine in the late 1980’s and early 2000 to create master scrapbooks about Hall of Fame Basketball Coach Kay Yow’s two bouts with cancer.
NC State Baseball Coach Elliott Avent wrote her last week saying she has the “greatness of my grandmother, a purely kind and gentle soul”. Elaine attended every baseball and softball game for her kids growing up as well as NC State games, rain or shine, meticulously keeping score in her own private baseball scorebooks.
Covid-19 has clearly cut down on the number of personal interactions Elaine has had over the past year as well as current opportunities for people to pay their respects. Working with Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, a visitation receiving guests will be on Monday evening (4-5-2021) at 7 to 9 pm at Covenant Christian Church, 2911, SW Cary Parkway in Cary; and a Memorial Service on Tuesday at 2 pm at Covenant with limited seating and a virtual option (bit.ly/CovenantZoom). A burial service will be held at Bethany Christian Church in Arapahoe, North Carolina later.
Prayers for the family are always appreciated and any flowers, plants or donations in Elaine's name can be made to the Covenant Christian Hand Bell Fund (Covenantcc-cary.org) or Camp Caroline in Arapahoe (Campcaroline.org). Masks are required if attending.
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