Kenneth Lane Aday

Kenneth passed at home surrounded by loved ones in Madison County, AL. Visitation will be Saturday, August 23, 2025, from 12:00-2:00 p.m. at Morrison Funeral Home in Tuscumbia with the funeral service immediately following in the funeral home chapel with Greg Beasley officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery in Sheffield.

Kenneth was born at Colbert County Hospital in Sheffield, Alabama on December 22, 1946, to John "Johnny" Pilkinton Aday of Maury County, Tennessee and Lela Victoria Chaney of Colbert County, Alabama.

It is difficult to summarize the life of such an extraordinary man with an extraordinary life.

Kenneth grew up in Colbert County, Alabama and as child he began working in agriculture. He was a carpenter's apprentice and became a master carpenter. Building and being creative with woodworking was his hobby. He learned how to fix anything and build everything, including his first home in Killen, Alabama. In his youth he had the opportunity to frequently travel with his mother and visit family in Chicago, Illinois and New Orleans, Louisiana. He grew up with legendary vocalist Percy Sledge in Leighton, Alabama and they were close friends.

In 1966 Kenneth became a soldier in the Army during the Vietnam War and bravely served the United States. He was Specialist 4th Class and served for two years, eleven months and twenty-seven days during the most brutal war in American history. He was decorated with the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, two Overseas Bars and Sharpshooter Badge.

Kenneth met his wife Rita Hawkins in 1969, and it was love at first sight. They were married in Colbert County, Alabama in 1970.

Kenneth was the Police Chief of Killen, Alabama from 1971 to 1976 and he worked diligently serving the citizens of Killen. During this time, he was blessed to meet lawman Buford Pusser and legendary country vocalist George Jones. While serving the citizens of Alabama he assisted in rescue and recovery during the 1974 Super Outbreak and other natural disasters. He earned an Associates of Science from Northwest Alabama State Junior College and a B.A. from the University of Montevallo. In 1981 Kenneth was selected and recognized by Outstanding Young Men of America for outstanding professional achievement, superior leadership ability, and exceptional service to community. For decades Kenneth worked in management of manufacturing and in the plastics industry in Atlanta, Ga.

Kenneth is preceded in death by his father, Johnny Aday; mother, Lela Chaney; brother, Ronnie Glenn Aday; sister, Nancy Evlynn Pitts Boothe; cousin and best friend, Milton Chaney; and his beloved in-laws, Ralph Hawkins and Trilby Bartley Hawkins.

Kenneth is survived by his beloved wife Rita Hawkins Aday; son, Matthew Aday (Amy Smith Aday); daughter, Jessica Aday Hutto (David Hutto); and grandchildren, Eli Aday, Finn Hutto, and Larkin Hutto; Sister, Deborah Aday Stark (Ray Stark); brother, Ricky Robinette; sister, Callie Perry; and sister, Julie Pitts Simbeck.

Friends and family will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to VUMC Department of Psychiatry MEND Clinic www.give.vanderbilt.org.