Kenneth Bernard Best

Obituary of Kenneth Bernard Best

Please share a memory of Kenneth to include in a keepsake book for family and friends.

View Tribute Book

Kenneth Bernard Best (also known as "Ken" and "Kenny") was born on July 23, 1957, to Billy W. Best, Sr., and Bethena Grady Best in Forest City, Arkansas. He grew up near the border of Washington, DC/Prince George's County (P.G. Co.), MD, in Beaver Heights, MD, and began his primary education at Beaver Heights Elementary School. He completed his primary education for the 4th, 5th, and 6th grades at Barrie School in Silver Spring, MD. As a teenager, he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and was baptized by Rev. Andrew J. Allen at the First Baptist Church of Deanwood (FBCD) in Washington, DC. He served as a Junior Usher in the FBCD Youth Church.

During his early childhood days, he and his brother, Billy Jr. (a.k.a. Champ, DC), would spend all of the summers in the 1960s with their maternal (Marianna, Arkansas) and paternal (Anderson, South Carolina) grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins. Spending so much time with them helped develop close bonds with his relatives.

He attended Mary McLeod Bethune Jr. High School and Fairmont Heights High School (FHHS) in PG Co. During his time at Bethune, he was a member of the championship football and basketball teams. One of his most memorable experiences in junior high was his participation in a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) program hosted by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). He was one of a handful of students recommended by the 8th-grade faculty at Bethune to participate in that program.

While attending FHHS, he was an outstanding student, receiving several scholastic achievement awards and was inducted into the National Honor Society in his senior year. He also played on the junior varsity and varsity basketball teams, as well as the varsity football team, during his high school years. He was selected by Prince George's County Coaches as an All-County Running Back in football. He graduated from FHHS in June 1975. Kenny was inducted into the Fairmont Heights Football Alumni Association's Hall of Fame on August 5, 2023.

He began his first year of college in the Fall of 1975 at Clemson University in South Carolina. When he arrived at Clemson, he inherited the nickname "CC" because his brother's nickname, "DC," was already in use, and the P-Funk hit "Chocolate City" was popular then, so everyone started calling him by that nickname. He participated in intramural athletics and organizations such as the Student League for Black Identity (SLBI). He successfully pledged the Chi Zeta (XZ) Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. in the Spring of 1976, and his Line Name was "Somebody." He served as the Dean of Initiation (D.I.) during his time with XZ at Clemson. Kenny and his XZ Line Brother, Jeremiah Archie, both relished working for the Clemson University Parking & Transportation Services, especially during home football games, assisting members of Clemson's IPTAY organization and other fans. He enjoyed traveling back to Clemson many times through the years for Homecoming and events such as the XZ Chapter's 50th Anniversary in April of 2024. Of significance, his performance as the Pastor in the play "God's Trombone" (produced by the SLBI) during his sophomore year garnered him rave reviews from the Clemson community.

He transferred to the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) in Catonsville, MD, in the Fall of 1977 and majored in Health Science and Policy. He graduated in the Spring of 1981 with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. While at UMBC, Kenny was instrumental in helping to charter the Upsilon Lambda chapter of Omega Psi Phi in September 1980 and served as a quasi-advisor. While matriculating at UMBC, he was employed with the Federal Reserve Bank in downtown Baltimore, MD, within the check processing department.

From his first marriage, he was blessed with his firstborn, Bryan K. Best, who brought much joy to the family. In October of 1987, he wed Donna Rebecca Rone. From this union, three children were born: Brea, Branden, and Brennan. Each of them added their variety of intriguing life experiences and fun to the family. Kenny enjoyed family vacations and family reunions and always supported all of his children in their life endeavors.

After leaving the Federal Reserve Bank, Kenny's next career move was to accept a position as a Safety Officer with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA, also known as METRO) in Washington, DC. He took his responsibilities seriously and performed them with the highest level of professionalism. During his tenure at METRO, he instructed several OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) courses for the organization and developed guidelines for rail contractors, while also serving as the Chemical/Environmental Liaison at METRO. He retired from METRO with over 20 years of service and accepted an opportunity as a Safety Professional with the Anne Arundel County Public School System. After several years there, he was able to retire again, this time permanently, to enjoy some of his hobbies and travel.

Throughout his life, Kenny enjoyed watching and attending sporting events, traveling, music, being hospitable (hosting barbecues, eating Maryland steamed crabs, and celebrating birthdays), fishing, and sharing his knowledge. He was a great mentor to many young men and women, especially individuals wanting to continue their education. He loved to support up-and-coming entrepreneurs and business owners. He was an active member of the community, serving as the President of the Homeowners Association for Courtland Woods, Pikesville, MD, and also served as the Treasurer of the Parent-Teachers Association (PTA) at Wellwood International Elementary School in Pikesville, MD, where his sons Branden and Brennan were enrolled.

Kenny enjoyed taking trips to stores such as Costco and Sam's Club. It was there he would find intriguing tools and devices, thus giving him the nickname – "The Gadget Man" – given to him by his late mother-in-law, Mrs. Delores (Miss Deli) Rone. Above all, he enjoyed the simple things in life and loved his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his late wife, Donna R. Best, and his father, Billy W. Best, Sr. He leaves to cherish his memory his mother, Bethena G. Best; his children, Bryan K. Best (Tameka), Brea A. Best, Branden G. Best, and Brennan C. Best. One brother, Dr. Billy W. Best, Jr.; grandchildren, DeShawn M. Best, DeVonte D. Best, and DeMir L. Best. Two aunts, Eloise R. "Ricki" Best and Gwendolyn S. Best. Three sisters-in-law, Donnette L. Quickley, Deborah A. Rone, and Denise M. Martin (Henry); Brother-in-law, David G. Rone (Patricia). Special cousins, Connor J. "Spud" Grady, III (Diana), John D. Best (Elsie), Dr. Darryl B. Best, Harriet C. Richardson, Patricia C. Caine (Dr. Rufus L. Caine, Jr.), Ludie L. Cartwright, Willa Best "Doll" Graham, and Dr. Irma G. Best (Dr. Harold Sours) and a host of nieces, nephews, extended relatives, and friends.

A viewing will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026 from 4:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Vaughn Greene Funeral Services, 8728 Liberty Road, in Randallstown, Maryland.

On Saturday, January 24, 2026, a homegoing celebration for Mr. Kenneth B. Best will be held at Dream Life Worship Center, 4111 Deer Park Road, where the family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. with services to follow.

The interment will take place at King Memorial Park immediately following the homegoing service,

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kenneth Best, please visit Tribute Store