News and Views

Fred Carney, 89, the husband of the Rev. Vernice Carney, a retired Elder, died Feb. 14, 2019. A Celebration of Life service was held in the Interfaith Chapel at Leisure World Feb. 21.

Fred Douglas Carney Sr. was born Oct. 5, 1929, in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, to Jolly Gray Carney and Celia Wilkins Carney. He was educated in the Edgecombe County Public School System in Tarboro, North Carolina, and completed his education at Roosevelt High School, in Washington, D.C.

He and Vernice Slade were married March 26, 1954. They moved to Washington, D.C. in 1955, where they both enjoyed careers in the Federal Government and raised a family. They had four children.

Fred began his career at the National Park Service in the Department of the Interior in 1958.  During his employment, he received numerous commendations for his work ethic and overall professional manner.  He maintained and secured U.S. monuments, parks and landmarks.  Carney retired after 33 years of dedicated service.

At an early age, Carney had accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior.  He became a member of the Conetoe Baptist Church in Conetoe, North Carolina, where he sang in the Senior Choir. In Washington, he joined Shaw UMC (now called Brighter Day Ministries), in Southeast in 1964. He loved to sing and was a member of the Sr. Choir and the Male Chorus. The congregation loved to hear him sing such memorable songs as “Who Art Thou?”, “One Day at a Time”, and “Peace in the Valley”.  At Shaw, he also served as Chairman of the Trustee Board and was a devoted member of the United Methodist Men.

While his wife pastored churches for 17 years, Carney was an active member affiliate: at Petworth UMC in N.W. Washington, D.C., (1989-1992); Simpson UMC in Mt Airy (1992-1997); and Asbury UMC in Germantown (1997-2006), where he joined the churches’ choirs, and blessed each congregation with his beautiful singing. During their ministry at Germantown, his wife was ordained a Full Member.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, the Rev. Vernice Carney; four children, Fred Douglas Carney Jr. of Washington, D.C., Frankie Delaney Carney of Ashton, Vernice Elizabeth Carney of Boyd, and Terri Lynn Carney of Laurel; a daughter-in-law, four grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.

Condolences may be sent to Rev. Vernice Carney, 14800 Pennfield Circle Unit 412, Silver Spring, MD 20906.