By Loretta Fulton

Former Abilenians Marjohn and Kevin Riney suffered the worse day of their lives on July 25, 2026, when their daughter, Kenli was killed in a head-on collision on Highway 16 near San Saba.

Kenli, who was born at Hendrick Medical Center, was killed just weeks before she was to start college at Tarleton State University. The Riney Family had moved to Kerrville just before Kenli’s senior year, and she graduated from Kerrville Tivy High School in 2021.

Kenli Riney

But before she died, heroic attempts were made at trying to save her life. The collision caused Kenli’s car to spin into a ditch and catch fire. Strangers ran toward the flames. Mike Argote, an electrician, and three other men pulled Kenli from the car, and Mike started doing CPR. When he got tired, his daughter, Ema, 14, took over.

“When Ema realized Kenli was gone, she held her hand and prayed her into Heaven,” Kenli’s mother, Marjohn, said.

The Riney Family

From that experience, The Kenli Foundation was born. thekenlifoundation.org Each year a TKF Classic golf tournament in held in Abilene. Hendrick Medical Center has been the Silver Sponsor since the beginning. No tournament was held this year due to the high cost of lodging.

“We don’t know yet whether we’ll be able to return next year, but we are working hard to make it happen,” Marjohn said.

The Riney Family remains members of Wylie Methodist Church and still worships with them online. When in Abilene, Marjohn spent eight years with Nendrick Provider Network. The Kenli Foundation they founded to honor their daughter awards scholarships to students who have shown heroism and compassion. In five years, the foundation as awarded 67 scholarships. The foundation carries the motto that Kenli lived by, Be Kind; Share Christ®.

Mike and Ema Argote stand by a memorial sign to Kenli Riney

The foundation board has chosen to give a second scholarship designated for a San Saba High School student, named the Argote Award. Ema received it this year when she graduated.

“On the hardest day of our lives, she showed Kenli exactly what Kenli lived by: Be Kind; Share Christ.,” Marjohn said.

Loretta Fulton is creator and editor of Spirit of Abilene