Lorene Kennon

(From Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home)

Betty Lorene Kennon, age 94, of El Dorado Springs, MO went to her heavenly home on June 8, 2024. Lorene was born August 23, 1929, to Dock Talmadge Neely and Alva Lorene (Messick) Neely. She attended country schools Cline Hill and Rock, both in rural Cedar County, and graduated in the El Dorado Springs High School Class of 1947.

Lorene was united in marriage to Donovan Kennon on March 20, 1949. They lived in and around El Dorado Springs their entire married life. To this union two daughters and a son were born.

After graduating high school, Lorene worked as a dental assistant for Dr. Conway in El Dorado Springs prior to the birth of her and Don’s first child. She subsequently worked together with/supported Don in various local business ventures throughout the years including Carnation milk routes, service stations, ready-mix concrete, cattle ranching, an auto parts store and being one of a group of local businessmen who opened Community Bank of El Dorado Springs in 1981. After Don’s passing in 1996, she served on the Board of Directors of the bank until 2017.

Don and Lorene had many wonderful friends throughout their married life and loved nothing better than having several couples over to the house to play Pitch. She was a wonderful cook and loved to cook for the entire family (her “from scratch” noodles and blackberry cobbler were out of this world). She enjoyed crossword puzzles and loved reading her Bible daily.

Lorene was baptized into Christ in her early 20’s and was an active member of the El Dorado Springs Church of Christ until her death. She taught in the children’s Bible class program well into her 80’s. She was an avid Bible student and teacher and continued to tweak and share her various teaching outlines with others until her death.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Don; her brothers, Evan, Everett and Carl Neely and their wives Clarissa and Norma; brothers-in-law Dennis and Dean Kennon and their wives, Kathryn and Anita; and father and mother-in-law, O.A. (Buck) and Flora Kennon.

She is survived by her three children, Sue Christie of Springfield, MO; Scott Kennon and wife Kelly of Rogers, AR; Anne Goodman and husband Steve of Carthage, MO; her grandchildren, Drew Christie and wife Randi Kaye of El Dorado Springs; Chase Christie of Springfield, MO; Camille Springer and husband Nathan of Springfield, MO; Tyler Kennon and wife Taylor of Bentonville, AR; Hunter Kennon of Austin, TX; Clay Goodman of Carthage, MO; Houston Goodman of Carthage, MO; and great-grandchildren Cade, Carter, Cale, Neely, Jett, Beck and Everett. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Janice Prewitt and husband Reed of El Dorado Springs.

Visitation
Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at 10:00AM - 11:00AM
Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home
3130 East Highway 54
El Dorado Springs, MO 64744

Service
Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at 11:00AM
Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home
3130 East Highway 54
El Dorado Springs, MO 64744