Carol Kennerly

Carol Wilhite Kennerly, age 96, of Hendersonville passed away on May 19, 2026. Carol was born on December 25, 1929 to the late James and Minerva Wilhite in Nashville, Tennessee.

Carol was a devoted Christian whose faith guided her daily life. She read her Bible every day, often reading through it several times each year, and faithfully participated in numerous Bible study courses over the years. She was a longtime member of Hendersonville Church of Christ, where she worshiped for more than 70 years after beginning attendance in 1954. Carol also lovingly served others through a card ministry, sending handwritten notes of encouragement to family, friends, and those in need.

She found joy in life’s simple pleasures, including crossword puzzles, word finds, coloring, and tending to her flowers. She also enjoyed cheering on the Tennessee Titans! One of her greatest joys was staying connected with those she loved; she faithfully spoke with each of her four children every day, as well as several dear friends.

Carol graduated from White County High School and later attended Nashville Business College. She worked for many years with an insurance company before dedicating time to raising her young children at home. After her youngest daughter began kindergarten, Carol returned to work teaching at the kindergarten program at Hendersonville Church of Christ. She also generously volunteered as a den mother for the Boy Scouts.

In addition to her parents, Carol is preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Duncan Kennerly; her sister, Grace Evelyn Wilhite; her brother, Hilary Kay Wilhite; and her daughter in law, Sue Kennerly.

Carol is survived by her children, Tim Kennerly, Cathey Green (Shane), Tammy Kemp (Terry), and Ellen Luis-Jorge (Juan); her grandchildren, Matthew Kennerly (Tofel), Ryan Green (Andrea), Corey Green (Sindy), Taylor Kemp (Emory), Tara Kemp, Christopher Luis-Jorge, Jonathan Luis-Jorge; her great grandchildren, Jack, Max, Luciana, Milan, and Millie; her brother, Raymond Wilhite (Bobbye); and a host of other family members who loved her dearly.

Visitation for Carol will be held on Friday, May 22, 2026 from 4-7 pm at Hendersonville Funeral Home (353 E. Main St., Hendersonville, TN 37075) and again on Saturday, May 23, 2026 from 9-10 am. The service for Carol will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 10 am in the chapel of Hendersonville Funeral Home (353 E. Main St., Hendersonville, TN 37075). The burial will follow in Hendersonville Memory Gardens (353 E. Main St., Hendersonville, TN 37075).

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hendersonville Church of Christ (107 Rockland Rd., Hendersonville, TN 37075).

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Carol’s church family at Hendersonville Church of Christ, friends, and neighbors for the love, care, and kindness shown to her throughout the years.