Ralph Stuart Kaney

FLORENCE The Reverend Ralph Stuart Kaney of Florence passed away October 19, 2014. Reverend Kaney was born in Scott, Georgia, March 26, 1922, a son of Henry Stuart and Ada C. Carey Kaney, and was educated at Young Harris Jr. College; Furman University, B.A.; Emory University, Conference Course of Study.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, the late Edna Marie McKee Kaney; brothers, Patrick, Roy, Frank, and James Kaney; and two sisters, Mildred Kaney Thomas and Airrene Kaney Stuart. He is survived by his four daughters, Edna Beth Kaney Taylor (Henry), Belinda Ann Kaney Duncan (William), Jan McKee Kaney Willis (Dan), and Mary Susan Kaney-Baburek (Jerry); sisters, Florence Kaney Hutchings, Nell Kaney Slade, and Zora Kaney Jackson; eleven grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

In August 1942, Reverend Kaney was licensed to preach and was ordained a deacon October 23, 1954. He was received into full connection in 1954 and retired in 1984. His appointments included: McBee-Salem 1946; Slater-Renfrew 1946; Glendale-Beaumont 1952; Cowpens-Cannons 1954; Carteret Street (Beaufort) 1958; Woodland (Rock Hill) 1963; First (Marion) 1965; Retired supply, Jordan Charge 1981; St. Paul Coward (Florence) 1984; New Good Hope (Hemingway) 1985; and Dawsey (Florence) 1988.

Reverend Kaney also served as City Editor of the Florence Morning News for eight years and was the Sunday and Business Editor for three years.

He was a member of the Board of Ministerial Training; Conference Board of Trustees; and Trustee of Spartanburg Methodist College. The Reverend Kaney was also a member of the Florence Harmony Chorus; Florence Chamber of Commerce; Florence Civil Defense Group; Rotary; Lions; Ruritan; Disabled Veterans of Foreign Wars; American Legion; Clarendon County Mental Health Association; and Masons. He also enjoyed the AARP Senior Citizens Chorus, where he served as director for many years. Reverend Kaney served our country in the U.S. Army Medical Corps from 1942-1945. During his service, he received the Combat Medical Badge; Good Conduct Medal; European Theatre of Operation Badge; and the VE-Day Badge.

Reverend Kaney faithfully attended Central United Methodist Church and was a member of the Christian Family Fellowship Sunday School Class. Those desiring may make memorials to UMCOR at Central UMC, Central UMC Building Fund, P. O. Box 87, Florence, SC 29503; Meals on Wheels, 600 Senior Citizen Way, Florence, SC 29505; or to the charity of ones choice.

Visitation will be held in the Commons Area at Central United Methodist Church one hour before the Services for Reverend Kaney which will be conducted on Tuesday, October 21, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. at Central United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery, directed by Waters-Powell Funeral Home.

The family would like to thank Dr. Richard Howell and the staff at The Heritage Home of Florence for their loving care the past 5 years, especially: Shay Poston, Bethe Odom, Marlene Ward, Teresa Deaver, Abby Cribb, Kevin Tanner, Terry Doyle, Lori Newman, Martisha Johnson, John Drake, Carrie Lawhorn, Debra Cooper, Kendra Peterson, Lanetta McCall, Cerena Cameron, Shirley Barr, and Lilanda McFadden.

We would like to thank all at Central United Methodist Church for their love, prayers, and visits.

.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ralph Stuart Kaney, please visit our floral store.