Saundra Jean Kenley-Truss

Saundra Jean Kenley Trus s was born on September 6, 1945, to the late Avis Jackson Kenley and Ottoway Kenley. She was the eldest of their union of 7 children. The family attended Rodman Street Baptist church in Pittsburgh where Saundra was a faithful member for years.

Saundra had several jobs after graduating from Penn Hills High School in Pittsburgh. She worked for numerous years for the Social Security Administration in Harrisburg and in Pittsburgh. Saundra proudly graduated in 1982 from Connelley Skill Learning Center in Pittsburgh with her LPN degree. She practiced nursing in Pennsylvania and New Jersey before retiring. Saundra was very involved in the East Liberty community. She was a member of the Fairfield Tenants URA (Urban Redevelopment Authority) and she was a resident committee member for the ELDI (East Liberty Development Inc). Saundra worked closely as a volunteer with then Representative Ed Gainey in dealing with the issues of the East Liberty Community. She had a passion to help others with housing issues, rental agreements, and apartment disputes. She served on the board to make her community a better place for all. She was often referred to as the “Mayor of East Liberty”.

Petra International Ministries was her church home. She honored and truly respected her Senior Pastor Bishop Donald Clay Jr and his late wife Elder Lisa. As a dedicated member, she worked in many capacities like assisting as a nurse, working at funerals, and always sharing mints with the congregation. She was committed to her calling and also worked in the food bank at Petra.

After retiring, Saundra traveled with friends and her Petra church family. She spent many summers visiting her daughters, the Cincinnati family, Clifton Knox (Camille), Dawanda Campbell (Jonathan), John Eric Knox, Marcus, Shirley (David), and Sharon (Anthony) where she fit right in. She also made a huge impact on the church and neighborhood in Ohio because of her kindness, warm personality, and sincere concern for others. The House of God family church family referred to her as “Ms. Saundra”.

Saundra married Richard Astor White and out of this union, Vineesa (Vicky) was born. She later married Carl Allen Truss and they welcomed her youngest daughter D’Anne. She was a loving mother who adored her children, grandchildren, and great-granddaughter. Her family was her life and she loved them dearly.

Saundra could always count on D ’Anne, Ayana, and Terrell who lived in Pittsburgh to support her in all her needs. Together they took on the role of caregiver gently and lovingly taking care of her until she departed this life for life eternal on September 4, 2022. She was preceded in death by her parents; and brothers Michael, Butch, and Gary.

Saundra leaves to cherish her memory her pride and joy her two daughters, Vineesa (Clifton Jr) Knox and D’Anne Truss ; 3 grandchildren, Daniel (Cierra) Lemons, Ayana Hightower, and Terrell Truss; 1 great -granddaughter Jamya Lemons; siblings, Rev. Mary Martin of Guatemala, Tyrone Kenley of Michigan, Janet Irvin (Donnie) of Pittsburgh, Billy Kenley, Pastor Dorothy Stubbs, and Donald Kenley all of Pittsburgh and a host of other relatives and friends.

Saundra loved her mother deeply and continued to mourn her loss. God, her siblings, her daughters, grandchildren, church family, and friends were her priorities. She genuinely loved us all.

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