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Note: DEATH: From "The Journal", Knoxville, Iowa, December 11, 1947 DEATH: Mrs. Ben Kenney Mrs. Mary Kenney died at her home in Knoxville Monday morning, Dec 1, 1947. She had been in declining health for some time, but through her strong determination she had been able to keep at her household tasks most of the time, until she suffered a severe heart attack followed by a stroke from which she never rallied. Her children, her sister, Mrs. Ella Pierson and her sister-in-law, Mrs. Clara La Favre of Little Rock Arkansas were with her at this time. Mary Anna LaFavre, daughter of John and Sarah Gregory LaFavre, was born at Gosport, Iowa, Sept. 4, 1859, and died Dec. 1, 1947, at the age of 88 years, 2 months, and 27 days. Her entire life was spent in Lucas and Marion counties. She was one of a family of six children, two brothers, James and Dale, and two sisters, Mrs. Rachel Bickford and Mrs. Jennie Anderson, preceded her in death. She is survived by one sister, Mrs. Ella Pierson. She was married to Benjamin Anthony Kenney, at Columbia, Oct. 26, 1886. To this union, seven children were born, Mrs. Virda Hahn, Osceola, Lester Kenney and Mrs. Bessie Spaur, Knoxville, Mrs. Nina Miller, Chariton, Mrs. Faye Stotts, Marshalltown; two daughters, Myrtle and Blanche died in early childhood. She was preceded in death by Mr. Kenney, April 12, 1932. Since that time, Mrs. Kenney and her sister, Mrs. Ella Pierson, had lived together at Purdy, until they moved to Knoxville about three years ago. The close companionship of these sisters was a most beautiful relationship and Mrs. Pierson will especially feel her loss. In early girlhood, Mrs. Kenney united with the Antioch Christian Union church in Pleasant township, Lucas county, and maintained her membership there throughout the years. While she never changed her church affiliation, she had a keen interest in the welfare of the Belinda Christian church, near which the family lived for many years, and encouraged her children in church and Sunday school attendance there. Mrs. Kenney was friendly and kind, and all who knew her will have memories of her busy life and her kindness to others. She is also survived by nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, besides a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral services were conducted by a warm friend of the family, the Rev. Warren Hile, Des Moines, at the Bybee-Davis Funeral Home Wednesday, at 2:00 p.m. Interment was beside her husband, in the Columbia cemetery.
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