Obituary of Kenneth Darden Journell

Kenneth D. “Skinny” Journell, 82, of Roanoke passed away on Tuesday, July 25, 2017. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert M. Journell, Hazel Bain Journell Hale, step father, Houston Hale, sisters, Blanche Holley and Juanita Francisco, brothers, L.F. “Pete” Journell, James C. “Peanut” Journell, Lewis Journell, and Don Hale.

Surviving are his wife, Ann Melton Journell; daughters and sons-in-law, Terry and Greg Deacon and Joanie and Butch Tyree; grandchildren, Tyler and Molly Deacon and MacKenzie and Macey Tyree; brother, Ben Hale and wife Diane; sisters-in-law, Helen and Barbara Journell, Donna Hale, Nancy Mayhew and husband Sam, and Claire Rice.

Ken attended Ferrum Junior College where he was a co-captain of the first football team and was named Ferrum’s first Junior College All-American. He was inducted into Ferrum’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1998. In 1987 he received Ferrum’s Distinguished Alumni Award for Service to the Church. Ken was a Charter Member of Northview United Methodist Church; he was a principal organizer of the North Roanoke Recreation Club where he served as both athletic director and coach. He received the Citizen of the Year Award for Community Service from the Hollins Lions Club in 1979. He had a career in the food brokerage business, and after retirement enjoyed part time employment at both his church and Simpson Funeral Home for many years.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to the Building Fund, C/O Northview United Methodist Church, 521 Ridgecrest Drive Roanoke, VA 24019 or to the Golden Panther Endowed Scholarship, C/O Ferrum College 215 Ferrum Mountain Road Ferrum, VA  24088.

A graveside service will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 29, 2017 in Sherwood Memorial Park. A celebration of Ken’s life will follow at 11 a.m. at Northview United Methodist Church.The family will receive friends at a reception immediately following the service in the Church Family Life Center. Arrangements by Simpson Funeral Home, 366-0707.