Kenneth Black

The Life of Kenneth Earl Black
On Thursday, December 14, 2023, our heavenly father called his son Kenneth Earl Black home. Kenneth was born to the late William and Eva Black on March 2, 1957, in Newark, NJ. He was preceded in death by his brother Brian K. Black on August 12, 2020. Kenneth was educated in the Newark Public School system. While in high school, he played football and was inducted into the Weequahic High School Ring of Honor on November 27, 2014. Kenneth attended the University of MD, College Park, and graduated with a degree in Behavioral and Social Sciences on August 19, 1983.
After graduation, Kenneth had a passion for law enforcement and joined the DC Department of Corrections in 1984. He started his corrections career as a correctional officer and progressed through the ranks. On March 10, 2014, Kenneth retired from the Federal Government following thirty years of loyal service, having worked for the DC Dept of Correction and DC Pretrial Services. After a brief two-year retirement on December 12, 2016, Kenneth joined the Prince George's County Sheriff's Department as a Security Supervisor. Kenneth developed strong leadership skills and was admired by all who worked under his supervision. In August 2020, during the uprising of COVID, Kenneth decided to stop working, to focus on his health.
On February 6, 1979, Kenneth welcomed his beautiful daughter Shavonne into the world. On May 1, 1992, Kenneth was joined in holy matrimony to Stephanie B. Black of 31 years of marriage. From this union, two beautiful children were born, Ikea and Isaiah. He was a devoted and faithful husband, father, and "Pop Pop". He was a precious and fun-loving friend to many; someone the community could depend on. Kenneth was an unselfish person with a generous heart who gave himself to uplift others.
Kenneth loved people; he was always seeking to serve his community. He was a dedicated member of Phi Beta Sigma, Mason Ionic #17, and EDFU Temple #17. Kenneth maintained an unyielding passion and level of commitment to encouraging and mentoring young adults; to not only realize their full potential but to meet and exceed their expectations. He was viewed as a role model and was highly respected by his family, friends, mentees, and colleagues. Kenneth enjoyed meeting new people and would give anyone he came in contact with, the shirt off his back. In many situations, he welcomed the role of a "father figure" to those who loved and respected his unyielding advice.
Kenneth's favorite pastimes were fishing, watching the History Channel, listening to jazz, spending time with his family, and cheering on his favorite football team, The New York Giants. Kenneth's devotion to his family and friends was unparalleled. His spirit will continue to live on as he helped many and was loved and admired by even more. Family and friends relished the relationships that they shared with him. His presence was always felt, and his light will never diminish.
Kenneth celebrated a joyous and fulfilling life, as God quietly called his name and lifted him from this earth to forever be with him. Answering his call, Kenneth leaves to cherish his memory; a loving wife Stephanie, devoted children Shavonne (Brima), Ikea, and Isaiah, his siblings Terry, Cynthia (Brian), and Darryl, two loving grandchildren Savian and Raven, niece, aunts, uncle, cousins, bonus children and grandchildren, and a host of other family and friends.
Memories of Kenneth
Though his smile is gone forever and his hand we cannot touch; still we have many memories of the one we love so much. His memory is our keepsake with which we will never part; God had him in his keeping, we have him in our hearts.