Kenneth Woods Adams

March 6, 1973 ~ March 21, 2023 (age 50)

Our Son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend, Kenneth Kynard Woods Adams was born to Ms. Bettie C. Woods Starling and Mr. Willie Adams March 6, 1973 in Oxford, Mississippi. Kenneth was affectionately known as “Red.” Great men and women are only born for the time that they are needed most, and surely his presence on this Earth has touched lives and transformed places around him.

In 1976, the family relocated to South Bend, Indiana while Kenneth was at the tender age of three.

Kenneth accepted and confessed his faith in Christ during his adolescent years. In obedience to God’s word, Kenneth was baptized at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Reverend Hardy Petty.

Kenneth received his formal education in the South Bend Public School system. He received his high school diploma from LaSalle High School in 1991. Kenneth went on to attend Indiana State University with a concentration in Communications. While attending Indiana State University, he was initiated as a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, the “Alpha Zeta” Chapter in the spring of 1993 K.S.4. Shades of Red.

Kenneth enlisted in the United States Army Reserves in 1991and served for several years. He proudly served as a Material Storage and Handling Specialist. As we all knew, he had the heart to serve, from the field to the community. During his military career he used his hard work ethic, education, and professionalism to gain his Ribbon of Recognition for his Army Service.

Kenneth took pride in caring for his loved ones, as well as himself. He worked many years as a talent acquisition. He adapted a skill set and passion in culinary arts. Everyone that knew Red was aware of his love for cooking and love for Kappa Alpha Psi, Incorporated. He took pride in his cooking abilities. His passion and vision for food service pursued him to launch his own catering business Kuisine by Ken. He had an eye for detail and took pride in his plating arrangements. Kenneth never turned down a challenge or an obstacle. Perhaps, his last challenge would be to answer God’s call into Glory. It seemed as if the last challenge would be impossible; a challenge that has shaken the very core of those left to remember him. Red accepted the challenge in which he DEFEATED HIS LAST EMEMY: DEATH. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. (I Corinthians 15:26KJV). All to life is to live and all the death is not to die, but a life without purpose has no hope and no end.

Kenneth departed his earthly home to rejoice in his heavenly home on Monday, March 20, 2023 at 10:30 p.m. surrounded by his loved ones, friends, and fraternity brothers. He was met at the heavenly gates by his grandparents: Cliff and Ruth-William Woods, Marion Roosevelt and Ruby Marzette Adams; his aunts and uncles, Johnnie Mae Woods, Stanley Woods, Willie and Bernice McEwen, Robert and Lula Ladmirault, James and Yvonne Adams, Mattie and Nathan Hodges, Inez and Jerry Nolls.

Kenneth leaves to cherish his fond and precious memories his mother, Bettie Woods Starling (Murray, preceded in death) South Bend, IN; his father, Willie Adams (Emma) Jackson, MS; his brothers, Michael Woods, (Savannah, GA); Kevin Adams (Houston, TX), and; Christopher (Mieko) Paige of Saint Johns, FL; and his special friend Charles Grant (Chicago, IL). He also leaves to cherish his memory his aunts and uncles; Bobby Woods, South Bend, IN; Clifton Woods, South Bend, IN; Ruthie (OC) Caston, Chicago, IL; Percy (Alasha) Woods, Las Vegas, NV; William(Vikki) Woods, Chicago, IL; Sam (Betty) Woods, Steubenville, OH., Roosevelt (Regina) Adams of Chicago, IL, Andrew (Princess) Adams of Mooresville, NC, Kynard (Beverly) Adams of Montgomery, AL, Mae Shelby (Tommie, preceded in death) of Oxford, MS, Ruth (Collidge) Ball of Oxford, MS, his nieces and nephews; Morgan, McKenize, Mason, and Noah Woods, Madison, Taylar and Christian Paige, and a host of cousins, relatives, fraternity brothers, loved ones, and friends.

Family and Friends may pay their respects from 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM, Thursday, March 30, 2023 at Greater St. John Missionary Baptist Church, 101 N. Adams Street
South Bend, IN 46628. Funeral Services will immediately follow at noon.  Palmer Funeral Homes - West Chapel are assisting the family with arrangements.

04/03/2023 EJS