Kenestene was born in Hardin County, Tennessee. on June 5, 1928, the daughter of the late James David and Sophia Pearl Wardlow Wood.
On November 27, 1948, she was united in marriage to Billy Strawn, he preceded her in death on January 10, 2020. They lived several different placed before making their home in Acton, Tennessee. She was a homemaker. In her younger years she loved to travel with Gatlingburg being one of her favorite places. She enjoyed hand embroidery and sewed many beautiful pieces late in life. Nanny adored all her family and her grandchildren.
She departed this life on Friday, September 23, 2022, at the age of 94 years, 3 months, and 18 days.
Kenestene is survived by her son, Dickey Strawn and wife Rita; a daughter, Lisa Lipford and husband Jeff; eight grandchildren: Heather Derryberry and husband Jeremiah, Heidi Gray and husband Bradley, Holly Blurton, Joshua Thompson and wife Kim, Cody Lipford, Andrew Lipford, Matthew Lipford and wife Jennifer, Hannah Gibbs and husband Eric; ten great grandchildren: Kaley Payne, Peyton Terry, Greenlea Lipford, Jai Lipford, Sophie Blurton, Haven Lipford, Grady Lipford, Bennett Thompson, Liam Derryberry and Rowan Lipford.
In addition to her husband, parents and siblings, Kenestene was preceded in death by a daughter, Susan Strawn Thompson; grandson, Casey Strawn Thompson.