Lena Vale Koonce Kenan

Lena Vale Koonce Kenan died in Morganton, N.C., on June 27th 2026. Born on December 2nd, 1932, in Leggett, N.C., she was the daughter of Gertrude Koonce McDonald & Philip H. Koonce.

After graduating from Tarboro High School, she graduated from the North Carolina Baptist Hospital School of Radiographic Technology. Later, she graduated from Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pa, with a BA in religion, after which she attended Moravian Theological Seminary.

She was married to Wilfred M. Kenan, her husband of 64 years, in Tarboro, N.C., in 1956.

Lena was a member of several Presbyterian churches, including ones in Leggett NC, Tarboro NC, Morganton NC, Lancaster, CA, and Easton, PA. She served in several capacities, including Elder, Sunday School teacher, President of the Women of the Church, 2 Search Committees, & Circle leader.

Among Lena’s special enjoyments were being a member of the Easton Fortnightly Club, the Friday Afternoon Book Club in Morganton & board member of the Easton Home for Aged Women in Easton, Pa.

Lena’s volunteer activities included Friends of the Library, Yokefellows (a prison-counseling endeavor) & visiting the shut-ins at church. However, she considered her most important role to be wife & mother.

She is survived by 3 children: Kyra Kenan Bosnik (Doug) of Johns Island, S.C., Wilfred Mills Kenan Jr. of Wilmington, N.C., & Holly Kenan Jackson of Greenville, S.C., 5 grandchildren: Jason Kenan of Allentown, PA, Kasey Holzgrefes of NY, NY, Cameron Bosnik of NY, NY, Conrad Kenan of Horseheads, NY, Cole Jackson of Simpsonville, S.C. & a great granddaughter, Reed Kenan Holzgrefes of NY, NY., nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by a son, Milton Stuart Kenan of Atlanta, her husband, Wilfred M. Kenan of Morganton, NC, and brothers James Koonce of CA and Philip H. Koonce of NC.

A private Christian celebration of her life will be held at a future date.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.