Services will be held at a later date for Melvene R. “Venie” Kenney of Dubois, who died at her home on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2011. She was 66.
Melvene Roberts was born in Yazoo City, Miss., on March 9, 1944, the daughter of Wade H. Roberts and Florine (Hildebrand) Roberts.
She married Timothy J. Kenney in Lander on Aug. 2, 1996.
She was of the Baptist faith and participated in Bible studies and ladies’ groups.
She was also active in the quilt guild. Her family said that over the past 10 years she had made quilts for several of her grandchildren and had three more started when her illness began making it to difficult to focus and use her hands. She wanted to make each grandchild a quilt that reflected their own individual personality.
She also loved cooking and creating new flavors and dishes for the family to experience and enjoy. In the late 1990s, she created her own line of spices and jellies that sold throughout the United States under the business name of M Bar Seven Seasonings.
Although she was born in Yazoo City, most of her childhood years were spent in Bogalusa, La., where she fell in love with the food and the Cajun French culture. Her Cajun French great grandmother taught her how to cook Cajun style and Mrs. Kenney never stopped, taking her skills a step further by teaching Cajun cooking classes out West and introducing the culture she loved to new friends.
She enjoyed the ocean and the mountains, but the family said she loved her home and family in Bentonia, Miss. where she roamed the hills and hollows as a child and held many precious memories with grandparents, family and friends. Just minutes after her passing, her childhood best friend called to check on her and she shared their love for each other and the fun they had together as children– a priceless moment that proved love grows deep in early years.
Mrs. Kenney was a lady, beautiful and feminine, yet she taught her children how to shoot a gun and ride motorcycles.
Her daughter remember the time at their home in Bentonia when brother Paul brought a water moccasin up to the house in a bucket. Their mother had a few choice words for the snake-toting brother and, while still telling him off, took a shotgun and blew the snake and the bucket into pieces. This is the same beautiful mother who made sure her daughter knew the importance of using the right moisturizers on her face, eyes and, of course, the all-important neck area. And, those toenails must be kept pretty and painted at all times.
She was Christian and very committed to growing closer to Jesus and sharing her faith. Many people shared how Mrs. Kenney’s faith and testimony influenced their walk with Jesus.
The family said they were especially grateful for the past Christmas where they were able to gather around Mrs. Kenney like presents under her tree, gathered together and being given the chance to hug and love on her one last Christmas.
The family said her loss is a gaping hole that no one else will ever be able to fill. It is only knowing she is with Jesus and that they will see her again that makes the pain any better.
Survivors include her husband, Timothy J. Kenney of Dubois; son, Ronald Paul Stupka; daughter, Robin Yvette Stupka; nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren; a brother, David Buford Roberts.
She was preceded in death by her father, Wade Hughes Roberts, Sr., on Feb. 28, 2009; her mother, Lela Florine (Hildebrand) Roberts on July 6, 2008; a brother, Wade Hughes Roberts, Jr., on May 26, 2008; grandparents, Henry I. Hildebrand and Lela (Tucker) Hildebrand, Clyde Vernon Roberts and Elvira Birdette (Smith)
Memorials may be made in Melvene's name to Samaritans Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607. www.samaritanspurse.org
Online obituaries are available and condolences for the family may be made at: thedavisfuneralhome.com
Services are under the direction of the Davis Funeral Home of Riverton.
Melvene Roberts was born in Yazoo City, Miss., on March 9, 1944, the daughter of Wade H. Roberts and Florine (Hildebrand) Roberts.
She married Timothy J. Kenney in Lander on Aug. 2, 1996.
She was of the Baptist faith and participated in Bible studies and ladies’ groups.
She was also active in the quilt guild. Her family said that over the past 10 years she had made quilts for several of her grandchildren and had three more started when her illness began making it to difficult to focus and use her hands. She wanted to make each grandchild a quilt that reflected their own individual personality.
She also loved cooking and creating new flavors and dishes for the family to experience and enjoy. In the late 1990s, she created her own line of spices and jellies that sold throughout the United States under the business name of M Bar Seven Seasonings.
Although she was born in Yazoo City, most of her childhood years were spent in Bogalusa, La., where she fell in love with the food and the Cajun French culture. Her Cajun French great grandmother taught her how to cook Cajun style and Mrs. Kenney never stopped, taking her skills a step further by teaching Cajun cooking classes out West and introducing the culture she loved to new friends.
She enjoyed the ocean and the mountains, but the family said she loved her home and family in Bentonia, Miss. where she roamed the hills and hollows as a child and held many precious memories with grandparents, family and friends. Just minutes after her passing, her childhood best friend called to check on her and she shared their love for each other and the fun they had together as children– a priceless moment that proved love grows deep in early years.
Mrs. Kenney was a lady, beautiful and feminine, yet she taught her children how to shoot a gun and ride motorcycles.
Her daughter remember the time at their home in Bentonia when brother Paul brought a water moccasin up to the house in a bucket. Their mother had a few choice words for the snake-toting brother and, while still telling him off, took a shotgun and blew the snake and the bucket into pieces. This is the same beautiful mother who made sure her daughter knew the importance of using the right moisturizers on her face, eyes and, of course, the all-important neck area. And, those toenails must be kept pretty and painted at all times.
She was Christian and very committed to growing closer to Jesus and sharing her faith. Many people shared how Mrs. Kenney’s faith and testimony influenced their walk with Jesus.
The family said they were especially grateful for the past Christmas where they were able to gather around Mrs. Kenney like presents under her tree, gathered together and being given the chance to hug and love on her one last Christmas.
The family said her loss is a gaping hole that no one else will ever be able to fill. It is only knowing she is with Jesus and that they will see her again that makes the pain any better.
Survivors include her husband, Timothy J. Kenney of Dubois; son, Ronald Paul Stupka; daughter, Robin Yvette Stupka; nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren; a brother, David Buford Roberts.
She was preceded in death by her father, Wade Hughes Roberts, Sr., on Feb. 28, 2009; her mother, Lela Florine (Hildebrand) Roberts on July 6, 2008; a brother, Wade Hughes Roberts, Jr., on May 26, 2008; grandparents, Henry I. Hildebrand and Lela (Tucker) Hildebrand, Clyde Vernon Roberts and Elvira Birdette (Smith)
Memorials may be made in Melvene's name to Samaritans Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607. www.samaritanspurse.org
Online obituaries are available and condolences for the family may be made at: thedavisfuneralhome.com
Services are under the direction of the Davis Funeral Home of Riverton.