Edna Gay Kennon

Edna Gay Kennon, 90, of Center, Texas, passed away on December 26, 2023, surrounded by loved ones in Tyler, Texas. She was born on November 11, 1933, in Center, Texas, to the late Norman Nathaniel Sigler and Ola Gay (Howard) Sigler.  

Funeral service will be held at 11AM on Saturday, December 30, 2023, at Clever Creek Baptist Church, with Bro. Bobby Warr officiating. 

Visitation will be held from 5-7PM on Friday, December 29, 2023, at Mangum Funeral Home, Center, Texas.

Edna entered this world on November 11, 1933, the eldest of fourteen children born to Norman and Ola Sigler of the Clever Creek community. She graduated from Shelbyville High School and subsequently found employment at the KB Café in Center. It was there that she met Drue Kennon, who had returned home after serving in the U.S. Navy. They were married in December of 1953, then settled in Center to start their family.

Edna was a homemaker, and she loved her family with her heart and her hands. She enjoyed baking sourdough rolls and bread, and she was also talented at making and decorating cakes for birthdays and other special occasions. She used her sewing talents to create articles of clothing for the whole family.

Edna was a member of Clever Creek Baptist Church, where she served in various capacities over the years, from cleaning the church weekly in preparation for Sunday services to teaching a ladies' Sunday School class to keeping minutes and handling clerical duties as church clerk. She loved reading and studying the Bible and was a true partner in ministry during the brief years away from Clever Creek when Drue pastored two local churches before his death in 1984.

At the time of her death, Edna was a resident of Pine Grove Nursing Home in Center, where she still enjoyed gospel music and fellowship provided by visiting groups and individuals.

She is survived by sons:
Drue Edwin Kennon Jr. and wife Maureen
Garland Eugene Kennon
Robert Emanuel Kennon

Daughter, Deborah Elaine Welch 

Grandchildren:
Kelly Berry and husband Steven
Wendy Justus and husband Levi
William Kennon and wife Crystal
Christy Curtis and husband William
John Kennon and wife Lindsey
Lanie Fitzgerald and husband Ryan
Avery Liker

14 Great-Grandchildren

4 Great-Great Grandchildren

Brothers:
Billy Sigler and wife Geri
Jeff Sigler

Sisters:
Frances Nettles and husband Tommy
Joann Andrews

Daughter-in-law, Judy Kennon

Brother-in-law, E.J. Whitton

Sisters-in-law:
Faye Sigler
Barbara Cruse

Numerous nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.

Edna is preceded in death by her husband, Drue Edwin Kennon Sr.; son, Richard Kennon; parents, Norman and Ola Gay Sigler; son-in-law, Gordon Welch; brothers, Charles Sigler, Robert Sigler, Larry Sigler, James Sigler, Jerry Sigler, Kenneth Sigler; sisters, Johnnie Whitton, Elaine Franke, Wanda Rychlik; brothers-in-law, Freddie Franke, Joe Rychlik; and sister-in-law, Doris Sigler.

Pallbearers serving will be William Kennon, John Kennon, Avery Liker, Wesley Berry, Hunter Berry, and William Curtis Jr.

Honorary pallbearers serving will be Dylan Robbins, Kade Justus, Christian Kennon, and Keegan Curtis. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you give to the Gideons International or other organization that promotes the distribution, reading, and study of God's Word.