Carolyn Elaine Kenner

Carolyn was baptized at an early age at Antioch Baptist Church, Mobile, Alabama, where she learned about the Lord in weekly Sunday School classes and church services. As she got older, she served as the church’s secretary. During her elementary and middle school ages she was also an active Brownie Scout and a Girl Scout.

Carolyn graduated from the historic Mobile County Training School in 1964 where she was a scholar; a member of the National Honor Society, International Language Society, Future Teachers of America Club, Science and Math Club, La Rosa Roja Social Club, and named in Whose Who Among Students in High Schools of America. Carolyn was also a majorette with the Mobile County Training School marching band. Upon high school graduation, she attended Florida A&M University – a historically black university. She also attended Spring Hill Jesuit College in Mobile where she was a member of a small black student group to integrate the college.

Carolyn’s family transplanted to Sacramento California in 1967 where she and her family found a church home at New Hope Baptist Church. Carolyn completed her academic studies at California State University, Sacramento where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology in 1969. She was initiated into Delta Theta Chapter (now Sacramento Alumnae Chapter) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in August 1970. She was employed by California State University, Sacramento where she worked as a Financial Aid Professional for over 35 years receiving numerous certificates of achievement.

During that time she successfully assisted thousands of students qualify for financial support to meet their educational expenses. Prior to retirement Carolyn was an Avon cosmetics representative, an avocation she enjoyed with her mother, Jessie, who, too, was an Avon representative.

Carolyn married Bobby O. Kenner in 1975. With Bobby, she enjoyed a life of travel which included trips to Hawaii, Alaska, and Caribbean Islands. Carolyn’s favorite time of the year was Christmas where she baked her famous spice cake. Everyone looked forward to her cake, and it wouldn’t be Christmas with -out it. Carolyn’s cake symbolized how much she valued and loved family.

Family was a priority for Carolyn from her early years until she passed away. She was a gentle spirit with a heart of gold, unforgettable laugh and smile; and warm hugs like no one else could give. Carolyn was preceded in death by parents Blaine and Jessie Barney; brother Blaine C.E. Barney; sister Angela M. Barney; survived by husband Bobby O. Kenner; sister Gesna R. (Barney) Clarke; brother Carver G. Barney( wife Sandra); sister Cynthia R. (Barney) Andrews (husband Napoleon) all of Sacramento; niece Erika Clarke (husband Brandt) of Altadena, California; Aunt Betty Fagan; Uncle Lonnie Donaldson of Mobile Alabama, and a host of cousins.