Mable Lee Kenoly

Mable Lee Kenoly was born on July 15, 1933, to Jack and Glendola Adams in Spiro, Oklahoma. She was the firstborn of three children. Mable attended Spiro Elementary School. At the early age of 12, she accepted Christ and was baptized, beginning a lifelong journey of faith and service.

 

Mable later moved to Coffeyville, Kansas, where she attended Field Kindley High School and, upon completion, attended Coffeyville Junior College for two years. During this time, she met the love of her life, Howard W. Kenoly. The two were married in 1953, and four children were born of their union.

 

Mable and Howard later traveled by train with their two daughters to Pasadena, California, where they made their home on Kirkwood. After settling in Pasadena, Mable joined a Baptist church with her family under the leadership of Rev. C.D. Fisher on Fair Oaks Avenue. During her early years in Pasadena, she worked cleaning houses and banks. She also took part in the historic struggle for equality, marching from Orange Grove to Pasadena City Hall in support of people of color and desegregation.

 

Mable was employed by Burroughs as an electronics assembler for many years. After Burroughs closed, she was hired by Norcam in 1967 and continued working there until her retirement. Mable later became a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and devoted 25 years to foster parenting, extending her love and care to children in need.

 

Mable joined Calvary CME Church, where she remained a faithful member for more than 50 years and served in numerous capacities. She served many times as a conference delegate alongside her beloved friend, Arlessie Brown; served as President of the Missionary Society and Secretary of the Missionaries; sang in the Celestial Choir; and served as President of the Stewardess Board for six to seven years. She was also a proud member of the Red Hat Society, an organization she greatly enjoyed until she could no longer attend. Mable loved prayer and Bible study, and her faith remained an important part of her life. She enjoyed watching the Lakers and Los Angeles football teams and especially loved listening to gospel music.

 

Above all, Mable was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. She was loved by many and will be dearly missed, but her love, faith, strength, and legacy will remain forever in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

 

Mable was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Glendola Adams; her brother, Harold Owen Adams; her beloved husband, Howard W. Kenoly; and her daughter, Regina Kenoly-Ferrell.

 

She leaves to cherish her memory her loving sister, Rhoda Adams-Triplett; her children, Sabrina Simington, Brocky Kenoly, and Bruce Kenoly; her grandchildren, Shamar Griffin, LaKrischa Ferrell, Brittney Simington, Brock “Courtney” Kenoly, Tyrell Kenoly, Sierra Kenoly-Chavez, Martell Sutton, Shantelle and Janice Campbell; her great-grandchildren, Isaiah, Elias, Kamara, Ayonna, Shamyah, and Cash Griffin, Malachi and Noah Bethea, Elijah’Lee and Darren’Lee Ferrell, Samara, Zhaki and Brooklyn Kenoly, Denver, Malayah, and Dream Kenoly, Apollo and Sayrah Chavez; and three great-great-grandchildren. Mable also leaves to cherish her memory a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, church family, and dear friends.

 

Her life was rooted in faith, strengthened by family, and distinguished by a lifetime of service and love. Her legacy will continue through the generations she leaves behind.