Ina Carney

Ina Mae Carney, 86, of Coffeyville, Kansas, went to be with her Lord June 14, 2022, at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center.

The youngest daughter of 8 children, she was born December 25, 1935, in rural Chetopa to William Cleve and Mary Jewell (Holden) Williams. She graduated from Cherokee County Community High School in Columbus in 1953.

Two days after high school graduation, she married Eldon Carney of Edna, Kansas. They lived in Wichita for a few years but eventually settled in rural Edna, where they raised their three children, Karla, Karen, and Stephen.  After the couple divorced in 1983, Ina eventually relocated to Joplin, Missouri, where she resided for many years and worked as a cook and home health-care worker. She was an active member of St. Paul’s Methodist Church of Joplin. In recent years, she moved to Chetopa, then Coffeyville to be closer to family.

Ina loved the Lord, and He blessed her with many gifts and talents. In her young adult years, she was known as a fabulous cook and baker whose potato rolls were a favorite at every family dinner. She started cake decorating with elaborate Barbie doll/hoop skirt birthday cakes for her daughters and their cousins, then branched out to anniversary and wedding cakes as her skills grew. In Joplin, her green thumb was evident. She transformed her little yard to a showplace with many roses and other flowers, as well as a thriving vegetable garden.

Her first love was for the Lord, second for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  She also enjoyed animals, both her grand-“fur-babies” and her 18-year companion Snow, a fluffy pure white cat.

Ina leaves behind her children, Karla and husband Steve Menaugh, Karen and husband Jim Dufoe, Stephen and partner Mark Newbold; grandchildren, Michelle and husband Jason Hogue, Ashley and husband Carl Bentley, Jennifer and husband Ryan Bernd, and Kyle Menaugh; and nine great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Paul, Bob, Loren, and Harold “Bus” Williams; three sisters, Lavon Baird, Peggy Thomas, and Lorene Burrows; and one great granddaughter, Addalyn Bentley.

Ina’s family will hold a private family service Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at the Community Bible Church in Chetopa, with Pastor Randy Frazier officiating. Ina will be laid to rest next to her parents in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Chetopa, Kansas.  The family has requested memorial contributions be made payable to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P O Box 1000 Dept 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908 or may be left in care of the chapel.  To leave a message of condolence or to share a memory with her family, visit www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com