Carol Gene Kinney

Carol Gene Kinney was born in Norman, Oklahoma on August 24, 1934.  After a prolonged illness, at the age of 86, she passed peacefully at her Norman home on Tuesday, November 17, 2020.

Carol is survived by her four children; Deborah C. Friedlander and her husband Charles L. Friedlander, Dianne W. Williams and her husband Mark K. Williams, Pat E. Durkee, Gregg B. Durkee, and his wife Erin E. Durkee; her grandchildren, Mark K. Williams II, Alex Long and her husband Brandon Long, Lauren R. Williams and her husband Nicki Williams, Cooper B. Durkee and Mason J. Durkee; and great grandchildren, Harper W. Long, and Jace R. L. Williams, her brother Bev Blackwood and his wife Patsy Blackwood, three nieces and one nephew. Married in April 1955, Carol was preceded in death by her husband Pat E. Durkee in 1981 and by her parents, W.E. Blackwood and his wife, Gene Blackwood.

Carol lived the majority of her life in Norman, attending Norman High School where she was crowned the Trails Yearbook Queen, and the University of Oklahoma where she majored in home economics, pledged Kappa Alpha Theta and was a member of the Shadow Box Fashion Arts Club. 

Among many community service contributions, Carol was recognized in 1965 for her leadership and outstanding service as a Blue Bird and Camp Fire Girl’s Leader.  Carol served as Treasurer for Norman’s Friends of the Library Board of Directors.  She was actively involved in the Norman Assistance League, serving as Secretary for the Board of Directors, as well as other committees; her favorites being Mayfair and Operation School Bell.  Carol attended the First Baptist Church and volunteered regularly at the First Baptist Family Life Center.

Memorial contributions in honor of Carol Kinney may be made to The Norman Assistance League’s Operation School Bell program at 809 Wall Street, Norman OK 73069; (405) 321-9400; info@alnorman.org.

With Carol’s parting her family would like to say,

“Mom, it is with a deep sense of love and gratitude that we say thank you.

 Your love and guidance will forever enrich our lives and our children’s. 

You will be missed.

 We love you.”