Kenneth “Kenny” Bates was born on November 19, 1957, in Toledo, Ohio, to the late Willie and Alberta Bates. 

 

Kenneth attended Scott High School in Toledo, Ohio, and moved to Florida at the age of 16, where he continued his education in the public school system. Then, being the man he was, decided to make the sacrifice to serve our country, our families, and God. Kenneth served two years in the United States Army, giving all he could before he decided to pursue a career as a construction laborer. 

 

Kenneth, being the cool and divine person he was, met his match and the woman of his dreams in the year of 1988, Ms. Karen Wilson, who he would affectionately refer to as “KB”. Kenneth and Karen fell in love putting each other first and married on March 4, 1993. This is when his world became complete adopting Karen’s children as his own and becoming a bonus dad and grandfather. Kenneth lived to love Karen and his entire family.

 

Kenneth was the jack of all trades and will always be remembered for being “OG KB”, never moving without his shades, or as we would call them, his hater blockers. Kenneth loved watching sports while enjoying a nice cold one. He also enjoyed listening to old school R&B music and Tupac. Kenneth never refused to help anyone with whatever he could. Whether it be putting up a ceiling fan, fixing a door lock, building a cabinet, or tuning up your car. He wasn’t limited to his skills and even if he didn’t know, he would figure it out as if it was something he had been doing for years. Kenneth loved his life and cherished his family and friends up until he was summoned home by God on April 29, 2024.

 

Left to cherish in his memories are: his wife, Karen Wilson-Bates (KB); dughters, Shannon and Lynisha (Llewellyn); son, Alfred Jr.; sisters, Betty (Morris) and Barbara (Norman); brother, Louis; sisters-in-law, Pearl and Sharon (Michael); grandchildren, Tierra, Deja, Ja’myra, Ja’kira, Essence, Beyonce, Wynter, Jania, and Llewellyn Jr.; great-grandchildren, Jacoby, Jaida, Jubril, Milo, and Kijuan Jr.; daughters-in-law; Andrea (Taron) and Jamese; trusted friend, Elgin Tucker; and a host of loving uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.

 

Kenneth was preceded in death by his oldest son, Eric Eugene Wilson, first-born of Karen, as well as ten brothers and sisters.