ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ’s oldest graduate died February 2 at age 106.
Longtime loyal ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ alumna, Esther Cole Kernodle, Class of 1936, died on February 2 at the age of 106 in her home in ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ, N.C. For more than eight decades she had been involved in the life of the university as a faithful patron and consistent supporter of the performing arts, library and athletics. Esther was proud that she had welcomed every college president to ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ since President Moffitt and made sure she attended United Church of Christ services in March 2018 at 104 years old to welcome President Connie Ledoux Book as the ninth president and first woman to lead the university.
Esther was born in Illinois on Feb. 10, 1914, spent her childhood years in Durham, N.C., and decided to enroll at ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ when she received a $5 scholarship. After a short hiatus to raise additional money to pay her tuition, she received her ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ degree. Esther taught English, French and music in the Durham City Schools, the Alamance County Schools and the Burlington City Schools for 10 years. In addition, she pursued graduate study in religion at Duke University and UNC Chapel Hill.
She was the wife of the late Dr. John Robert Kernodle ’35, who served as an ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ trustee for more than 40 years. In 1997, Esther and her family made a gift to endow the university’s Kernodle Service Learning Center, now called the Kernodle Center for Civic Life. In addition, the university awards the endowed Esther Cole and John Robert Kernodle Leadership Scholarship, which is named in their honor.
Music played a special role in her life. She was often asked to sing in her church for worship services, weddings and funerals. In 2008, ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ hosted the Eastern Music Festival Steinway Piano Gala with a concert dedicated to Esther for her longtime support of the festival and ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ music programs.
She was a member of the university’s Aesculus Society, which honors donors who have given more than $100,000 to ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ over their lifetime, as well as the Order of the Oak, ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ’s planned giving society.
Esther was an active member of the First Christian United Church of Christ in Burlington, where she taught Sunday School for more than 50 years, and later the ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ Community Church, which she attended until she reached the age of 100. She and her cousin, the late Edith Brannock, were related to James O’Kelly, known in Virginia and North Carolina as the founder of the Christian Church in the South, the denomination that founded ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ College in 1889.
Esther and her husband had two children, John Robert Jr. and Ann, who both predeceased her. She is survived by three grandchildren: John Robert Kernodle III (a 2005 ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ graduate), Alexandra Umstead-Wrenn and Ashley B. Umstead.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Esther’s memory can be made to the Kernodle Center for Civic Life at ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ, the John Robert Kernodle, Jr. Scholarship Fund with the Greater Greensboro Community Foundation, Well-Spring Solutions where Ann Kernodle Umstead directed its component, the Adult Center for Enrichment in Greensboro, ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ Community United Church of Christ, First Christian Church of Burlington, the Kernodle Senior Center in Burlington, or to another charitable organization of one’s choice.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there will not be a memorial service at this time. Her family looks forward to gathering together when it is safe to do so for a celebration of Esther’s life.
at the Rich & Thompson Funeral Service website.