Retha Kennamer

Retha Kennamer, 87, of Abilene, passed away into the loving arms of Jesus on Thursday,  November 3, 2022.

Retha was born on November 13, 1934, in Beaumont, Texas, to Herman and Cleo McCuistion. Retha graduated as valedictorian from South Park High School in Beaumont in 1952 and continued her education as a mathematics major at Abilene Christian College. It was there that she met Ken Kennamer, the man she would marry. Retha and Ken spent 64 years together, raising three daughters, loving their grandchildren and great grandchildren, and faithfully following and serving Jesus.

Many remember Retha as a Bible class teacher of young children at the Hearne Church of Christ. She had a gift for welcoming all children with the love of Jesus. Her teaching was shaped by her commitment to knowing the truth of God’s story and her belief in the value of each child.

In Hearne and later in Abilene, many remember Retha’s gift for hospitality. She hosted hundreds of baby and wedding showers, school fundraisers, church events, and family gatherings. When Ken and Retha moved to Abilene after his retirement, they welcomed the friends of their grandchildren who were attending ACU to “Mimi and Poppy Lunch” every Sunday. On some Sundays they welcomed and provided a home-cooked meal for up to one hundred young people.

Retha was preceded in death by her husband, Ken Kennamer, and her brother and sister, Dwan McCuistion and Nelda Blanton. She is survived by three daughters: Debra Chester and husband Philip, Sharon Bryant and husband Kirk, and Dana Kennamer. They were devoted to their six grandchildren—Aaron Bryant and wife Angela, Katie Lacey and husband Adam, Jeremy Epps and wife Jessica, Becca Bryant, Wade Hood, and Taylor Hood.  Their twelve great grandchildren—Collin, Kendall, Kensie, Lily, Beckett, Chapel, Collins, Brave, Lorna, Adam, Abby, and Audrey loved spending time with their Mimi and Poppy.

A memorial service will be held on November 12 ^th at 10:00 am at Piersall Funeral Home in Abilene, TX. The service will be followed by a visitation with the family.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Retha Kennamer can be made to the Teacher Education Department at ACU or the Highland Church of Christ Restore Abilene Ministries.

To donate to the ACU Teacher Education Department, give online at acu.edu/give , choosing "Other" from the designation list and specifying that it is for the Teacher Education Department in Retha Kennamer’s memory, or mail your gift to Gift Records, ACU Box 29132, Abilene, TX 79699-9132, noting the Teacher Education Department in Retha Kennamer's memory.

To donate to the Highland Church of Christ Restore Abilene Ministries go to http://highlandchurch.org/give/ and write Restore Abilene – Retha Kennamer.