Vada Kenney

Vada Mae Jones Kenney, Charlotte, Michigan, entered the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, November 17, 2021, at the age of 87. She was born July 2, 1934, in Lansing, MI. to Otto Orval Jones and Noveda Mae (Wood) Jones. True strength doesn’t draw attention to itself, and Vada was the epitome of quiet strength. She was an overcomer from day one and throughout her entire life, overcoming challenges that would stymie the average person. She and husband Merl raised 7 children together and celebrated 61 anniversaries. They both survived a horrible car accident in 1969 by the grace of God. She was unwavering in her faith in her Lord and inspired others with her gentle ways of expressing God’s love to others.  Vada was a member of South Cochran Church of God in Charlotte starting in 1955. She volunteered for many positions, taught Sunday School and served on the Board and received the Woman of the Year in 2002. She began working in 1977 for Ingham County MSU Extension Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program as a supervisory aide. After retiring in 1996, she worked for McDonalds in Charlotte for over 7 years. Hobbies included reading, fabric painting, crossword puzzles and baking; going out to breakfast on Thursday mornings with her friends, always having a joke ready to share. She was a Boy Scout Leader, sold Artex paints, Avon products, worked at the youth center and volunteered at the Senior Center in Lansing. She loved to watch Spartan football, the Green Bay Packers, and March Madness when the Spartans were playing. She loved to watch Perry Mason, skating on TV and watching the animals in the woods out her window. She was always noticing an “animal” or some formation in the clouds. She was a collector of giraffes, butterflies and salt & pepper shakers.
Vada was pre-deceased by her parents, Otto Orval Jones (1988) and Noveda Mae Wood Jones (2007); husband, Merl G. Kenney (2013); sons, Orval L. Kenney (2017) and Charles F. Kenney (2020); daughter-in-law, Antonia (Van Belois) Kenney (2019); sister, Ilene Jones (1952); brother, Erwin Otto Jones (2021), granddaughter, Tara Hope (2014), and still-born great grandson, Steven Parmelee (1998).
Surviving are her children, Marilyn (Phil) Parmelee of Charlotte, Virginia (Jesse) Kenney-Sweet of Mason, Merl “George” (Sherry) Kenney of Charlotte, (Tammi) Kenney of Lake Odessa, Paul Kenney of Victoria, Tx, and Noveda (David) Nighbert of Charlotte, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren, who will greatly miss her.
The Celebration of Life was held Sunday, December 5, 2021, at 4:00 p.m. with visitation from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the South Cochran Church of God, 2470 South Cochran Rd., Charlotte, MI. Friend and family are encouraged to share memories of Vada on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Arrangements made by Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, MI.