“The Life of Kenya Kordell Bobo” Kenya Kordell Bobo
was born on January 5, 1975 in Memphis, TN, to Willie Bobo and Evelyn Tidwell Story. Kenya graduated from Wooddale High School in 1993. He received many scholarships from colleges across the country. However, he selected Florida A & M University in Tallahassee, Florida. Kenya majored in International Business at Florida A & M. He decided to move back to Memphis and attended University of Memphis. Kenya was a member of Prospect CME Church for many years. He was very active at Prospect CME Church serving as an usher, choir member, and reciting many Easter speeches. Kenya along with his sister Kiasi sat on the mourner’s bench for one week. They both were baptized by Rev. Dillard the following Sunday. Kenya enjoyed serving the Lord in many capacities at Prospect; he cleaned the church, cleaned the cemetery, and whatever else was needed. In his latter years, he was a member of his uncle’s church, Twelve Gates Temple. He was steadfast in his belief and faith in Jesus Christ to the very end. He never waivered on his trust and belief in the Lord. Kenya loved to travel. His favorite trip was his mother’s 60th birthday when he and his sister surprised her with a trip to Jamaica. Kenya was adventurous and convinced his mother and sister to go ziplining in the mountains of Montego Bay.
Reflections
Kenya touched many lives through his kindness, humor, generosity, and surprisingly cooking skills. He loved to entertain his family, friends, and co-workers. If you needed a place to rest your head, Kenya’s door was always open. Kenya was an avid sports fan. His favorite team was the San Francisco’s 49ners. He was loyal to that team through many wins and losses. Kenya could be found every Sunday sitting on his couch watching all the games that were on television. Although, Kenya didn’t have biological children, he had many children. His first child was his niece, Jasmin Walker. Kenya was with her from the very beginning of her life. He was her surrogate father and loved her unconditionally. Then he had his crew, Hayley, Jarron, Marquez, KJ, Kloe’, Brooke, Cassidy, Jayla, Nataiya, and Jordan. The time spent with Kenya and his crew will always be special. He was fiercely protective of his crew and loved them unconditionally. Kenya worked for Cricket Communications where he managed several stores in Houston, TX. He enjoyed his work, and loved mentoring young people. He met friends and everyone loved him. He fell in love with Kimberly Adams, who was the first woman that he brought home to his mother and sister to declare his love. Kenya cherished her and her children and they planned to wed the summer of 2018. Kenya had a host of cousins that were his brothers; Darryl, Shaun, Nelson, & Otis Jr. They loved each other, they were loyal to each other, and very protective of each other. Kenya was called to eternal rest on February 25, 2018. He leaves to cherish his memory his dad, Willie Bobo, his loving and devoted mother, Evelyn Tidwell Story (Bill), his devoted fiancé, Kimberly Adams, his loving sister Kiasi Malone (Kedrick), his sister Valerie Bobo, his sister/cousin Renata O’neal, and his loving niece Jasmin Walker. Kenya leaves his crew: bonus children; Jarron, Brooke, Casidy, & Haley and his loving nieces and nephews; KJ, Marquez, Kloe’, Jayla, Natiya, and Jordan, his bonus father and mother, Paul and Geraldine Palmer (Jasper, TX). Kenya also leaves 4 uncles Odell Tidwell (Mary), Sam Tidwell (Barbara), Tyrone -favorite uncle- Tidwell (Francille), and Otis Tidwell (Beverly) of Memphis, TN. He leaves an aunt Loretta Love (Dallas, TX), Robert Bobo (Sherry), Troy Bobo (Carrie), Cecil Bobo, Lloyd Bobo, and Louis Bobo, and a host of cousins, other family members, and friends.
“The Celebration” Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. ~Psalm 100 Musical Selection...........................................................................................Maranatha Faith Temple Choir The Processional.................................................................................................................Family and Clergy Scripture Reading: Old Testament & New Testament.................................................................................Rev. Willie Ward
Mt. Pisgah CME Church
Prayer...............................................................................................................................Pastor Kathon Kelly
Maranatha Faith Temple
Solo...................................................................................................................................................Troy Bobo
Expressions: 2 Minutes, Please
John Paul Palmer Fransico Ortiz Travis Hall Shaun Tidwell Kiasi Malone Words of Comfort...................................................................................................................Rev. John Mason
Featherstone CME Church
Acknowledgements...................................................................................................................Kendra Tidwell Musical Selection...........................................................................................Maranatha Faith Temple Choir Eulogy....................................................................................................................................Rev. Otis Tidwell Pastor, Twelve Gates Temple
Musical Selection...........................................................................................Maranatha Faith Temple Choir Recessional
~The Living Memorial ~
A Tree will be planted in a National Forest as a Living Memorial to Kenya Kordell Bobo This service is offered by Harrison’s Memorial Chapel, Inc. through Batesville Casket Company, the United States Forest Service and Ontario Canada’s Grand Valley Conservation Foundation.
C
herished Memories
C
herished Memories
~Acknowledgements ~
On behalf of the family of Kenya Kordell Bobo, please accept our sincere thanks and appreciation to everyone for the many sincere and encouraging calls, texts, emails, kind and thoughtful expressions of sympathy and other acts of kindness shown during our bereavement. Perhaps you came to visit, said a soft prayer, or sang a comforting song to give us hope. Perhaps you sent beautiful flowers or prepared and enjoyable meal. Whatever you did to console our hearts, we, Kenya Bobo’s family, felt your love and support. We truly appreciate and thank you for your caring hearts and acts of Godly love. Special Thanks to Memorial Hermann – Texas Medical Center Emergence Room Unit and Intensive Care Unit for the care you provided to Kenya.
~Active Pallbearers ~
McNeal Adams Terrance Bean Jaimoy Bryant Travis Hall Kedrick Malone, Jr. Marquez O’Neal Francisco Ortiz Darryl Tidwell Otis Tidwell, Jr. Shaun Tidwell
~Committal Rites & Interment ~ Prospect C.M.E. Church 6679 E. Raines Road Memphis, Tennessee 38141
~Repast ~
Memphis Nites 3299 Kirby Parkway Memphis, Tennessee 38115
Distinctive Services by View Funeral Programs, DVD Tributes & More Through Your Mobile Device
3320 Millbranch Rd. Memphis, Tennessee 38116 901-452-7331 www.harrisonsfuneralhomeinc.com “There’s No Comparison To HARRISON” ~Since 1923~
901.351.0753 www.mysticalprinting.com mysticalprinting@aol.com
When Tomorrow Start Without Me
When tomorrow start without me, and I’m not here to see; If the sun should rise and find your eyes, all filled with tears for me; I wish so much you wouldn’t cry, the way you did today, While thinking of the many things we didn’t get to say. I know how much you love me, as much as I love you And each time that you think of me, I know you’ll miss me too: But when tomorrow start without me, please try to understand That an Angel came and called my name and took me by the hand And said my place was ready in heaven far above And that I’d have to leave behind all those I dearly love. But as I turned to walk away, a tear fell from my eye For all my life, I’d always thought I didn’t want to die. I had so much to live for, so much yet to do, It seemed almost impossible that I was leaving you. I thought of all the yesterday, the good ones and the bad; I thought of all the love we shared and all the fun we had. If I could relive yesterday, just even for a while, I’d say goodbye and kiss you and maybe see you smile. But then, I fully realized that this could never be; for, emptiness and memories would take the place of me. And when I thought of worldly things, I might miss come tomorrow, I thought of you and when I did, my heart was filled with sorrow. But when I walked through heaven’s gates, I felt so much at home. When God looked down and smiled at me From His great golden throne, He said, “This is eternity and all I’ve promised you”. Today for life on earth is past, but here it starts anew. I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last, And since each day’s the same day, there’s no longer for the past. So, when tomorrow starts without me, don’t think we’re far apart; For, every time you think of me, I’m right here in your heart.