Leona B. Kinney

Candler - Leona Bernese Grubb Kinney, of 95 Holcombe Cove Road, died Friday April 5, 2002 at Pisgah Manor Health Care Center. She was born in Knox County, Ohio to the late John Clarence and Florence Syler Grubb. She graduated from high school in Silver Lake, Indiana and completed a business course at Indiana State Business College. She graduated from Manchester College, Indiana and taught primary school several years. She was a member of Montmorenci United Methodist Church. She was married to Max G. Kinney in 1945, who preceded her in death in 1991. One brother and two sisters also preceded her in death. She became active in Church of the Brethren at an early age, teaching Sunday School and in her youth became a member of the Middle Indiana District Youth Board. When she married and moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan, she found there was no Brethren congregation there so she contacted the Michigan District superintendent. In a few years enough Brethren members had moved to the city and a congregation was organized. She served on the Michigan State Brethren Church Board. She and her husband served several years on Western Michigans Family Campers Board. They also were foster parents for Michigan State Childrens Association for many years before moving to Buncombe County in 1971. She is survived by her daughter, Bernita Anne Prestwood and husband, Steve of Candler; grandson, Shane Prestwood; sisters, Catherine Zile and husband, Lowell of Silver Lake, Indiana and Rita Marie Surland of Citrus Heights, CA; sister-in-law, Jean Renschler of Louisville, KY and several nieces and nephews. Memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday at Montmorenci United Methodist Church with Rev. Dan Lyons officiating. Her family will receive friends following the service at the church. Memorials may be made to: Montmorenci United Methodist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 610, Candler, NC 28715.