Kenney was a lifelong resident of the Amory area having attended school in Amory and Smithville. He was a member of the basketball, football and baseball teams at Smithville High School and the swim team in Amory. He was a former truck driver for LBJ Trucking. He was a member of the Smithville Baptist Church. He enjoyed sports and motorcycle riding.

Survivors include his father, James Allen Rye, and stepmother, Margaret, of Amory; his mother, Wanda Wilkes Avent, and stepfather, Rick, of Orlando, Fla.; a child of his heart, Patrick Chism of Amory; five brothers, Kevan D. Rye of Oxford, Kraig A. Rye (Connie) of Golden, Keith A. Rye of North Carolina, Kent R. Rye of Amory and David A. Rye (Linda) of Baytown, Texas; one sister, Diane F. McNeil of Texas; one aunt, Virginia Hood (Hank) of Smithville; one uncle, Ralph Huggins (Terri) of Aurora, Minn.; his grandmother, Thalia Nash (Howard) of Hatley; many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, James and Cleat Rye, and Mr. and Mrs. Bill Wilkes; a brother, John Hoffpauer; a sister, Kathy Rye; and a child of his heart, Monica Chism.

Pallbearers will be Allen Cooley, Randy Hood, Kent Rye, Kevan Rye, Kraig Rye, Keith Rye and David Rye.