Beckham County, OK - Obits: Robert Lee Kenner, 1918 25 August 2008 Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell) ********************************************************************* USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ********************************************************************* KENNER, ROBERT LEE (Oct 1918, Elk City Newspaper, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK): ROBERT L. KENNER Co. I, 136th Inf. Born December 17, 1892. Died September 29, 1918. Deceased was born in Limestone County, Texas, and died at Camp Dix, N. J. He registered in Jackson Co., last year. In February he moved with his brother Willie on a farm eleven miles southeast of Elk City. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Kenner, have lived the past year about four miles northeast of Elk City. The body arrived here Saturday night and held at the Chandler and Robinson undertaking parlors until the funeral services at 3:30 Sunday afternoon, which were held at the Fairlawn cemetery. A large procession followed the motor car in which the beautiful plush casket was placed and which was draped in a large flag. The pall bearers were Messrs. John Forsyth, W. H. Hewlett, Henry Hunter, W. E. Allen, J. L. Robinson and C. B. Hanna. Rev. Covey of the Christian Church had charge of the services, which were held in the open air because of the influenza being so prevalent in our city. By request of parents the songs; "Nearer My God to Thee" and "Tell Mother I'll be There" were sung. These were the favorite songs of their son. The verses of the last one were sung by Mrs. R. L. Reid and Mrs. Wm. Francis and the choir joined in the chorus. It was beautifully and touchingly rendered. Rev. Coffey made such a tender prayer for the parents and loved ones of the lad who had given up his life while in the service of his country. "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this: To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." He said this is what the boys are doing for the widows and orphans of Belgium, France and other countries. He gave so many comforting thoughts and paid a great tribute to the soldier boy to whom our city was paying such great respect. He was a pure noble son, ever honoring his parents, and he had no bad habits. He was a self made young man and very industrious. He and his brother William had "batched" together on a farm for the past five years and were never separated until they went to the camp. Will was in Camp Greenleaf, Georgia, and arrived home on the train that carried the body of his brother. They loved each other so devotedly. Robert often told his parents in his letters of how fortunate he was in having such good officers. His letters were always cheerful. He praised the great work of the Y.M.C.A. and thought his company the very best one. He was such a clean young man and was always disgusted with anyone who would take the name of God in vain. He left here in June for Camp Cody, New Mexico, and was a member of the "Sandstorm Division". He belonged to Co. I, 136th Inf. The sympathy of all is extended to the bereaved family, the parents, two brothers and four sisters. A married sister, Mrs. Maggie Teague, of Hardin County, Texas, accompanied by her husband and children, arrived here on receipt of the news of the death of her brother. Mr. and Mrs. Kenner, while comparative strangers to our people appreciated so much the kindness of neighbors and friends, and asked us to thank everyone. --------------------------------------------------- Return to Beckham County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/beckham/beckham.html