Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
Spouses
BirthAug 16, 1915, Alamance County, North Carolina [52407]
DeathApr 13, 1997, Burlington, Alamance County, North Carolina [52407]
BurialUnknown [52407]
FlagsWorld War II
FatherGeorge Albert KERNODLE Sr. (1879-1944)
MotherLillian B. LONG (1888-1974)
MarriageApr 21, 1935, Danville City, Virginia [52410]
ChildrenAnn Cole (1946-2006)
John Robert (1944-1995)
Obituary Online notes for Esther Madeline COLE
Esther Cole Kernodle, 106, of Elon, NC, died of COVID-19 February 2, 2021, peacefully in her home in Elon, NC.
Esther was born February 10, 1914, in Sibley, Illinois to Aurell Pendelton “O’Kelly” Cole and Wilhelmina Augusta Pommerening Cole, spent her first years in Chicago, and moved to Durham, NC at the age of seven. She attended the Durham City Schools, graduating from Durham High School. Esther received a B.A. degree from Elon College in 1936, where she majored in English and French. She also studied piano, voice, and public school music. For the remainder of her life, Elon College (now University) held a special place in her heart, and a student leadership scholarship is established there in her name and her husband’s. Esther later taught English, French, and public school music in the Durham City Schools, the Alamance County Schools, and the Burlington City Schools for 10 years. In addition, she pursued graduate study in religion at Duke University and UNC Chapel Hill.
It was at Elon College where she met and married her husband, Dr. John Robert Kernodle, Sr. After his completion of medical school and service in the US Army during World War II, they moved to Burlington, NC where he established his medical practice and where they reared two children, John Robert, Jr. and Ann Cole.
Always active in church work on a local, state, and national level, Esther was a long-time member of First Christian United Church of Christ in Burlington where she taught Sunday School for over 50 years. After moving to Elon in 1996, she transferred her membership to Elon Community United Church of Christ. Esther was a descendant of James O’Kelly who founded the Christian Church in the South in 1794. His Essay on Negro Slavery published in 1789 is recognized as one of the earliest anti-slavery treatises written by an American clergyman. In her quiet and persistent way, Esther followed in his footsteps exhibiting great strength both in the 1957 merger of the Congregational-Christian Church and the Evangelical Reformed Church as the United Church of Christ and in her dedicated work with others to integrate the Southern Conference of the United Church of Christ. She was also active in Church Women United.
Esther was active as well in the life of the community, participating in the Medical Auxiliary and the Burlington Music Club among other endeavors. Music played a special role in her life. She was often asked to sing in her church for worship services, weddings, and funerals. She attended as many concerts as possible in the community at large and especially at Elon University. Esther always attempted to share her love of music with others, and in her later life provided for music lessons for young musicians.
Esther is remembered as a faithful wife and as a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, mother-in-law, and as a loyal friend to many. She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. John Robert Kernodle, Sr.; her son, John Robert Kernodle, Jr.; and her daughter, Ann Cole Kernodle Umstead. She is survived by three grandchildren: Alexandra Umstead-Wrenn, her son Devon, her husband Jonathan and his children Chase and Emma; Ashley B. Umstead; and John Robert Kernodle, III. She is also survived by a great granddaughter, Kaitlyn Florence Umstead. In addition, she is survived by daughter-in-law, Lynn Wright-Kernodle, and son-in-law, Alex B. Umstead.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Esther’s memory can be made to the John Robert Kernodle, Jr. Scholarship Fund with the Greater Greensboro Community Foundation, Well-Spring Solutions where Ann Kernodle Umstead directed its component, the Adult Center for Enrichment in Greensboro, the Kernodle Center for Civic Life at Elon University, Elon Community United Church of Christ, First Christian Church of Burlington, the Kernodle Senior Center in Burlington, or to another charitable organization of one’s choice.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and knowing Esther would want those she loved to be safe, there will not be a memorial service at this time. Her family looks forward to gathering together when it is safe to do so for a celebration of Esther’s life.
Condolences can be sent to the family c/o Lynn Wright-Kernodle, 303 West Bessemer Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27401. Rich and Thompson Funeral Home and Alamance Memorial Park are assisting the family. The family wishes to thank Comfort Keepers of Greensboro and all of the caregivers, especially the team which saw her through her hardest final years, and who made it possible for Esther to remain, as she always wished, in her home until the time of her death.
Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed,
for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 [52408]
Esther was born February 10, 1914, in Sibley, Illinois to Aurell Pendelton “O’Kelly” Cole and Wilhelmina Augusta Pommerening Cole, spent her first years in Chicago, and moved to Durham, NC at the age of seven. She attended the Durham City Schools, graduating from Durham High School. Esther received a B.A. degree from Elon College in 1936, where she majored in English and French. She also studied piano, voice, and public school music. For the remainder of her life, Elon College (now University) held a special place in her heart, and a student leadership scholarship is established there in her name and her husband’s. Esther later taught English, French, and public school music in the Durham City Schools, the Alamance County Schools, and the Burlington City Schools for 10 years. In addition, she pursued graduate study in religion at Duke University and UNC Chapel Hill.
It was at Elon College where she met and married her husband, Dr. John Robert Kernodle, Sr. After his completion of medical school and service in the US Army during World War II, they moved to Burlington, NC where he established his medical practice and where they reared two children, John Robert, Jr. and Ann Cole.
Always active in church work on a local, state, and national level, Esther was a long-time member of First Christian United Church of Christ in Burlington where she taught Sunday School for over 50 years. After moving to Elon in 1996, she transferred her membership to Elon Community United Church of Christ. Esther was a descendant of James O’Kelly who founded the Christian Church in the South in 1794. His Essay on Negro Slavery published in 1789 is recognized as one of the earliest anti-slavery treatises written by an American clergyman. In her quiet and persistent way, Esther followed in his footsteps exhibiting great strength both in the 1957 merger of the Congregational-Christian Church and the Evangelical Reformed Church as the United Church of Christ and in her dedicated work with others to integrate the Southern Conference of the United Church of Christ. She was also active in Church Women United.
Esther was active as well in the life of the community, participating in the Medical Auxiliary and the Burlington Music Club among other endeavors. Music played a special role in her life. She was often asked to sing in her church for worship services, weddings, and funerals. She attended as many concerts as possible in the community at large and especially at Elon University. Esther always attempted to share her love of music with others, and in her later life provided for music lessons for young musicians.
Esther is remembered as a faithful wife and as a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, mother-in-law, and as a loyal friend to many. She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. John Robert Kernodle, Sr.; her son, John Robert Kernodle, Jr.; and her daughter, Ann Cole Kernodle Umstead. She is survived by three grandchildren: Alexandra Umstead-Wrenn, her son Devon, her husband Jonathan and his children Chase and Emma; Ashley B. Umstead; and John Robert Kernodle, III. She is also survived by a great granddaughter, Kaitlyn Florence Umstead. In addition, she is survived by daughter-in-law, Lynn Wright-Kernodle, and son-in-law, Alex B. Umstead.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Esther’s memory can be made to the John Robert Kernodle, Jr. Scholarship Fund with the Greater Greensboro Community Foundation, Well-Spring Solutions where Ann Kernodle Umstead directed its component, the Adult Center for Enrichment in Greensboro, the Kernodle Center for Civic Life at Elon University, Elon Community United Church of Christ, First Christian Church of Burlington, the Kernodle Senior Center in Burlington, or to another charitable organization of one’s choice.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and knowing Esther would want those she loved to be safe, there will not be a memorial service at this time. Her family looks forward to gathering together when it is safe to do so for a celebration of Esther’s life.
Condolences can be sent to the family c/o Lynn Wright-Kernodle, 303 West Bessemer Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27401. Rich and Thompson Funeral Home and Alamance Memorial Park are assisting the family. The family wishes to thank Comfort Keepers of Greensboro and all of the caregivers, especially the team which saw her through her hardest final years, and who made it possible for Esther to remain, as she always wished, in her home until the time of her death.
Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed,
for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 [52408]
Obituary Online notes for John Robert (Spouse 1)
Herald-Sun, The (Durham, NC) - April 14, 1997
ELON COLLEGE -- Dr. John Robert Kernodle, Sr., 81, of 4 Hickory, died Sunday, April 13, at Alamance Regional Medical Center.
Born in Alamance County, he was the son of the late George Albert Kernodle and Lillian Long Kernodle.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Esther Cole Kernodle, of the home; a daughter, Mrs. Ann Kernodle Umstead, of Greensboro; a sister, Mrs. George 'Carrie Bell' Hackney, of Durham; and three grandchildren.
He was predeceased by a son, John Robert Kernodle, Jr.; and also by one sister and three brothers.
Dr. Kernodle received his bachelor's degree from Elon College in 1935. In 1942, he received his medical degree from Duke University. As a captain in the Medical Corps during World War II, Dr. Kernodle was awarded the Silver Star with Cluster, Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Merit Citation. Dr. Kernodle, along with Dr. Kenneth Cuyler, established the first cytology laboratory in the state, now known as the Robert Seibel Laboratory, in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Duke. Over the years, he was active in numerous areas of medicine. Notably, he helped organize the Bayard Carter Obstetrical and Gynecological Society, the Duke Davison Club, the Robert A. Ross Obstetrical and Gynecological Society at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the Southeastern Obstetrical and Gynecological Society.
Since 1948, when he began his private practice, Dr. Kernodle was an active member of the American Medical Association and the Medical Society of the State of North Carolina. He served on numerous committees and councils and was elected president of the Medical Society of North Carolina in 1962. Dr. Kernodle was elected to the board of trustees of the American Medical Society in 1968 and served as vice-chairman in 1970 and chairman of the board from 1972 to 1974. He also served as a consultant and member of the AMA's Committee on Aging from 1960 to 1967. Dr. Kernodle served as Commissioner of Public Services the Medical Society of North Carolina and chairman of its Chronic Illness and Aging Joint Committee. From 1963 to 1970, Dr. Kernodle served as a member of the National Council on Aging's Committee on Employment and Retirement.
Dr. Kernodle served on the North Carolina State Board of Mental Health from 1965 to 1973 and was instrumental in the development of the Alamance/Caswell Area Mental Health Program. He was a member of the Alamance/Caswell Medical Society from 1948 to 1986, serving as its president in 1964. Dr. Kernodle served as vice chief of staff, chief of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Alamance County Hospital, and was president of the State Obstetrics and Gynecology Society. He also served as an instructor at Duke Medical School and was a clinical assistant professor in obstetrics and gynecology at the UNC-Chapel Hill Medical School for twenty years.
Dr. Kernodle worked actively with the American Cancer Society, local, state and national, since 1948 and was a lifetime member of the North Carolina Division's Executive Committee. He was currently serving on the North Carolina Advisory Committee on Cancer Coordination and Control. In 1996, he received the American Cancer Society Capitol Dome Award for outstanding service on public issues. He served on the Alamance County chapter's board of directors since 1948.
Dr. Kernodle served on various committees of the Burlington/Alamance Chamber of Commerce and was a member of its board of directors for five years. He served the Veterans Administration as a member of a Special Medical Advisory Group from 1973 to 1977. Locally, he served on the Salvation Army board. He also was national chairman of the Committee on Medical Exploring for the Boy Scouts of America.
Dr. Kernodle served as a member of the board of trustees of Elon College since 1952. From Elon College, he received the Outstanding Alumnus of the Year Award, an honorary doctor of science degree, and the Elon College Medallion. He received Distinguished Service Awards from the North Carolina Public Health Association, the American Cancer Society, the North Carolina Mental Health Association, and UNC-Chapel Hill Medical School. In 1970, he received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Duke University Medical Center and School of Medicine.
Dr. Kernodle was an active member of the First Christian United Church of Christ, a deacon, a teacher of the Loyal Men's Bible Class, and served on numerous committees. He was a senior active member of Rotary International, past president of the Burlington Rotary Club, and was named a Harris Fellow in 1986.
Dr. Kernodle was appointed as a North Carolina delegate to the first White House Conference on Aging held in Washington, D.C. in 1961 and appointed to represent North Carolina as a delegate at the 1995 White House Conference on Aging. He played an on-going and instrumental role in the development of the Alamance County Planning Committee on Services for the Elderly. Dr. Kernodle was appointed to the Governor's Advisory Council on Aging on July 1, 1990 for an eight-year term, continuing to serve as a member of this group, strongly advocating for the rights and needs of older adults. For his lifetime commitment to aging and the health concerns of the elderly, Dr. Kernodle was the 1996 recipient of the North Carolina Division of Aging Ewald W. Busse Award. Dr. Kernodle's hard work and leadership brought the vision of a single point of contact and portal of entry for services for older adults in Alamance County to fruition with the development of the innovative long-term care delivery system, Alamance ElderCare, serving as its board's first chairman. He wholeheartedly gave his time and expertise to numerous projects and activities of the North Carolina Division of Aging and the Piedmont Triad Council of Governments, Area Agency on Aging.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, at the First Christian United Church of Christ, conducted by Dr. Robert K. Barrows, Jr., pastor of the church, Dr. H. Winfred Bray, and Dr. Earl Danieley. The family will receive friends at the church immediately following the memorial service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the John Robert Kernodle, Jr. Center for Service Learning, Elon College, Elon College NC 27244 or to the First Christian United Church of Christ, PO Box 1678, Burlington NC 27216.
These arrangements have been provided by Rich & Thompson Funeral Service, Inc. [52400]
ELON COLLEGE -- Dr. John Robert Kernodle, Sr., 81, of 4 Hickory, died Sunday, April 13, at Alamance Regional Medical Center.
Born in Alamance County, he was the son of the late George Albert Kernodle and Lillian Long Kernodle.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Esther Cole Kernodle, of the home; a daughter, Mrs. Ann Kernodle Umstead, of Greensboro; a sister, Mrs. George 'Carrie Bell' Hackney, of Durham; and three grandchildren.
He was predeceased by a son, John Robert Kernodle, Jr.; and also by one sister and three brothers.
Dr. Kernodle received his bachelor's degree from Elon College in 1935. In 1942, he received his medical degree from Duke University. As a captain in the Medical Corps during World War II, Dr. Kernodle was awarded the Silver Star with Cluster, Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Merit Citation. Dr. Kernodle, along with Dr. Kenneth Cuyler, established the first cytology laboratory in the state, now known as the Robert Seibel Laboratory, in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Duke. Over the years, he was active in numerous areas of medicine. Notably, he helped organize the Bayard Carter Obstetrical and Gynecological Society, the Duke Davison Club, the Robert A. Ross Obstetrical and Gynecological Society at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the Southeastern Obstetrical and Gynecological Society.
Since 1948, when he began his private practice, Dr. Kernodle was an active member of the American Medical Association and the Medical Society of the State of North Carolina. He served on numerous committees and councils and was elected president of the Medical Society of North Carolina in 1962. Dr. Kernodle was elected to the board of trustees of the American Medical Society in 1968 and served as vice-chairman in 1970 and chairman of the board from 1972 to 1974. He also served as a consultant and member of the AMA's Committee on Aging from 1960 to 1967. Dr. Kernodle served as Commissioner of Public Services the Medical Society of North Carolina and chairman of its Chronic Illness and Aging Joint Committee. From 1963 to 1970, Dr. Kernodle served as a member of the National Council on Aging's Committee on Employment and Retirement.
Dr. Kernodle served on the North Carolina State Board of Mental Health from 1965 to 1973 and was instrumental in the development of the Alamance/Caswell Area Mental Health Program. He was a member of the Alamance/Caswell Medical Society from 1948 to 1986, serving as its president in 1964. Dr. Kernodle served as vice chief of staff, chief of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Alamance County Hospital, and was president of the State Obstetrics and Gynecology Society. He also served as an instructor at Duke Medical School and was a clinical assistant professor in obstetrics and gynecology at the UNC-Chapel Hill Medical School for twenty years.
Dr. Kernodle worked actively with the American Cancer Society, local, state and national, since 1948 and was a lifetime member of the North Carolina Division's Executive Committee. He was currently serving on the North Carolina Advisory Committee on Cancer Coordination and Control. In 1996, he received the American Cancer Society Capitol Dome Award for outstanding service on public issues. He served on the Alamance County chapter's board of directors since 1948.
Dr. Kernodle served on various committees of the Burlington/Alamance Chamber of Commerce and was a member of its board of directors for five years. He served the Veterans Administration as a member of a Special Medical Advisory Group from 1973 to 1977. Locally, he served on the Salvation Army board. He also was national chairman of the Committee on Medical Exploring for the Boy Scouts of America.
Dr. Kernodle served as a member of the board of trustees of Elon College since 1952. From Elon College, he received the Outstanding Alumnus of the Year Award, an honorary doctor of science degree, and the Elon College Medallion. He received Distinguished Service Awards from the North Carolina Public Health Association, the American Cancer Society, the North Carolina Mental Health Association, and UNC-Chapel Hill Medical School. In 1970, he received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Duke University Medical Center and School of Medicine.
Dr. Kernodle was an active member of the First Christian United Church of Christ, a deacon, a teacher of the Loyal Men's Bible Class, and served on numerous committees. He was a senior active member of Rotary International, past president of the Burlington Rotary Club, and was named a Harris Fellow in 1986.
Dr. Kernodle was appointed as a North Carolina delegate to the first White House Conference on Aging held in Washington, D.C. in 1961 and appointed to represent North Carolina as a delegate at the 1995 White House Conference on Aging. He played an on-going and instrumental role in the development of the Alamance County Planning Committee on Services for the Elderly. Dr. Kernodle was appointed to the Governor's Advisory Council on Aging on July 1, 1990 for an eight-year term, continuing to serve as a member of this group, strongly advocating for the rights and needs of older adults. For his lifetime commitment to aging and the health concerns of the elderly, Dr. Kernodle was the 1996 recipient of the North Carolina Division of Aging Ewald W. Busse Award. Dr. Kernodle's hard work and leadership brought the vision of a single point of contact and portal of entry for services for older adults in Alamance County to fruition with the development of the innovative long-term care delivery system, Alamance ElderCare, serving as its board's first chairman. He wholeheartedly gave his time and expertise to numerous projects and activities of the North Carolina Division of Aging and the Piedmont Triad Council of Governments, Area Agency on Aging.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, at the First Christian United Church of Christ, conducted by Dr. Robert K. Barrows, Jr., pastor of the church, Dr. H. Winfred Bray, and Dr. Earl Danieley. The family will receive friends at the church immediately following the memorial service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the John Robert Kernodle, Jr. Center for Service Learning, Elon College, Elon College NC 27244 or to the First Christian United Church of Christ, PO Box 1678, Burlington NC 27216.
These arrangements have been provided by Rich & Thompson Funeral Service, Inc. [52400]