Ella Kendall

Ella “Butch” Kendall, 99, of Valdosta, died on Tuesday November 28, 2023 at Langdale Hospice House. A native of Baltimore, MD. Mrs. Kendall was born on December 27, 1923, the daughter of the late John Girdwood Schmidt & Edith Anna Hudnet Schmidt. Following World War II, a young U.S. Army Officer from Valdosta GA, Samuel Riley Kendall, Sr., was stationed in Maryland and met the former Ella Margaret Schmidt. After a whirlwind romance, they were married on April 11, 1946. Ms. Butch, as she was affectionately known, followed Riley back to Georgia as they towed a tiny house trailer, where he attended law school in Athens before moving back to Valdosta. Quite a transition for a Maryland girl. Not long after moving to Valdosta, the Kendalls began assisting George Eager with the founding and development of The Mailbox Club. Ms. Butch continued to volunteer and mentor children throughout her life at The Mailbox Club. Ms. Butch was a faithful member of Grace Bible Church.

Survivors are her daughter and son in law, Edie & Doug Robertson of Jacksonville, sons and daughters in law, Bill & Nanci Kendall , S. Riley Kendall, Jr., Stephen Kendall all of Valdosta; a brother, John L. Schmidt of West Virginia; 5 grandchildren, Scott Robertson of Jacksonville, FL, Kent & Rachel Robertson of Huntsville, AL, Kellie & Chuck Sayers of Valdosta, Heather & David Schultz of St. John’s, FL, Kayla & Nick Wentworth of Valdosta. Also surviving are seven great grandchildren, Andre Robertson, Aaron Robertson, Emily Robertson, Ethan Robertson, Sammie Sayers, Gabriel Wentworth and Tilly Wentworth, and numerous nieces and nephews and many special friends. Mrs. Kendall was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Samuel Riley Kendall, Sr.

Funeral services will be held at 2 pm on Friday, December 1. 2023 at Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday from 12:30-1:30 at Carson McLane Funeral Home. Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to the Gideons International, at www.gideons.org or to The Mailbox Club, at www.mailboxclub.org. Condolences may conveyed to the family on the obituary page at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home