Zenella P. Darring-Thomas, lovingly known to many as "Kiwi," was born on January 8, 1987, in Jacksonville, Florida, to Anthony Darring and Laura Darring. She attended William M. Raines Senior High School and later furthered her education at Penn Foster, where she received her high school diploma and associate degree as a Medical Assistant. She also earned certifications with Diligent Hands for Med Tech, including BLS and Phlebotomy.

Zenella attended True Vine Ministries under the leadership of Pastor James Byrd.

Zenella was the kind of woman who pursued everything she set her mind to accomplish. She had a passion for helping others and wore many hats throughout her life. She was once a basketball player and later became a coach, always encouraging and uplifting those around her. She was also involved in Stage Aurora 100 Youth Voices and served as a praise dancer, expressing her love for God through worship and service. Above all, she was a devoted wife and loving mother. She was known as "a mother to her mother," always caring for and supporting those she loved. She was a loving sister, an amazing aunt, a great niece and a wonderful cousin who cherished her family.

Zenella deeply loved dolphins, finding in them the perfect balance of harmony, intelligence and grace. Just as dolphins are seen as guardians of the sea, she was a protector to all her family and friends.

On March 12, 2026, she crossed over from death to eternal life, leaving behind cherished memories in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. She leaves to cherish her memory her devoted husband: Ernest Thomas; children: Ernest (JT) Thomas, Zai'naviah (Zai)Thomas, Trenton Thomas and Jamarius (Aniyia) Thomas; parents: Anthony (Diane) Darring Sr. and Laura Darring; devoted father figure: Cleve Hall; mother in-law: Cheryl (Jerrell) Richardson; siblings: Tiffany Darring, Jackqueisa Darring- Johnson, Anthony (Ursala) Darring Jr., Terrell (Tiana) Ford, Amiya Person, Erica Menefield, Brione Allen, Dionysia Sutton, Dominic Hawkins, and D'Angelo Hall; grand-farther: Amos Darring; uncles Kenneth (Tammy) Wright, Roy Wright; Montell Mack; aunties: Lisa Wright, Thelma Wright, Wanda Wright, Annette Roundtree, JayNelle (Aaron) Faulk, Pauline (Greg) Clayton, Diann Walker, Darlene (Adrian) Peterson: great-uncle: John (Patricia) Rivers; great- aunts: Shirley (Barney) Ford, Martha Bryant and Elizabeth Crosby; god-sister and best friend: Khadijah (Reggie) Cannon; godmother: Cynthia Williams; god-sisters and god-brothers: Ericka Oliver, Annastasia Knox, Christina Booker, Jamari Smith and Jovan Wright, close family friend: Ronnal Quarles, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents Cleroy Wright, Josephine Wright, Inell Darring and father-in-law Edward Thomas.

Her love, strength, and beautiful spirit will forever live in the hearts of those who knew her.

Mrs. Darring - Thomas may be viewed of Friday, March 27, 2026, at True Vine Ministries, 936 Nelson Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32254 from 4:30 p.m. Until 7:00 p.m.   Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 28, 2026, at True Vine Ministries, 936 Nelson Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32254 and the interment will be in Restlawn Cemetery South.

Carthage Chapel Funeral Home, Inc., 929 West Beaver Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32204