Eva Johnston Kenna died of cancer on November 27, 2009 at St.Dominic’s Hospital in Jackson, MS. She was 74 years old. Relativesand friends are invited to attend a visitation on Sunday, November28 from 5 until 8 p.m. at Jones Family Funeral Services in McComb.Visitation will continue on Monday, November 30 from 10 a.m. untilservices at Johnston Chapel United Methodist Church in Summit.

A service of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday,November 30 at Johnston Chapel United Methodist Church with theRev. Allen Dearing officiating. Interment will be in JohnstonChapel United Methodist Church cemetery.

Mrs. Kenna was born in Summit on October 16, 1935, to BenjaminThomas and Eula Williams Johnston. She was the eleventh of twelvechildren. In 1953, she graduated from Johnston Consolidated Schoolin Johnston Station, where she played basketball, participated invarious clubs, was a school beauty and inducted into Who’s Who.Following graduation from Draughn’s Business School, she marriedBilly McDaniel, and from this marriage her two sons were born. Shemarried John Lewis Kenna in 1973 until death.

Mrs. Kenna worked in the business office of Croft Metals Inc.until 1972 when she joined the business staff of Southwest RegionalMedical Center where she worked until retirement in 1995.

She was a member of Johnston Chapel United Methodist Church forover 60 years, where she served on various boards, sang in thechoir and belonged to the Ida Vickers Circle of the UnitedMethodist Women. She also was a member of the Summit GardenClub.

Throughout her life, whether at work or play, Mrs. Kenna broughthappiness to others and was known for her sweet smile. Sheexperienced joy from the simple things in life and adored theout-of-doors, particularly when it came to gardening and flowers.She never saw a flower she disliked, and she never saw a weed shecould tolerate!

She especially enjoyed the company of others and was happiestwhen she was able to help someone, earning her the nickname,”Mother Theresa.” In the end, she faced a disease and demise not ofher choosing. Still, she never complained, wrestled all she couldof life while physically able, and then, without burdening otherswith bitterness or regret, bravely faced life’s end.

She is survived by her husband, John; a stepdaughter, Debra AnnBible and husband, Ron, of Slidell, La.; a stepson, John L. KennaJr., of Ocean Springs; her sons, Timothy L. McDaniel, of Atlanta,Ga., and Keith W. McDaniel and his wife, Lorraine of Covington,La.; her stepgranddaughters, Kailin Lambuth, of McComb, and ErinKenna, of Ocean Springs; her granddaughters, Alexandra and MadisonMcDaniel, of Covington; her siblings, Floyd Johnston, GeraldineReed, Erma Stockton, Bryant Johnston, Jewel Johnston, Glen Johnstonand Lemelia Boone; and numerous in-laws, nephews, nieces, cousinsand friends, all of whom she cherished.

Memorial donations may be made to the Memorial Garden Fund atJohnston Chapel United Methodist Church. Alternatively, inrecognition of her kind spirit, perform a kind deed forsomeone.

Mrs. Kenna lived life as a gift to be shared with others. Manyshared with her through the years, and she died grateful for thelove and kindness shown to her by a multitude of family andfriends. The family joins her in expressing thanks and gratitude toall who supported her through her battles with cancer includingDrs. Rao and Levin and the staff of the MD Anderson Cancer Centerin Houston, Texas; Dr. Fredricks and the staff of St. Dominic’s inJackson; the membership of Johnston Chapel United Methodist Church,the many other church families who kept her in prayer; and familyand friends too numerous to list.