Bishop Kennard Sr Obituary (1927

Bishop Edsel Harry Kennard Sr., 84, departed this life on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, at Mallard Bay Care Center in Cambridge, MD. Born Dec. 15, 1927 in Cambridge, MD, he was the son of the late James and Florence Kennard. He was educated in the public schools of Dorchester County. Upon graduation he attended University of Maryland in Princess Anne. On March 27, 1946 he enlisted into the United States Army serving until October 2, 1947 when he was honorably discharged. He was then self employed as a construction contractor until his health failed. "Bones", as he was affectionately called, was baptized in the name of Jesus by Bishop Clarence Cornish in Cambridge, MD. He loved reading the word of God. In 1963 he relocated to Wilmington, DE where he began pastoring his first congregation in 1969. He became a dedicated general overseer and pastor of numerous churches within the Pennsylvania for over 40 years. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Arizona Kennard and second wife, Mildred Kennard, three brothers, James Kennard Jr., Nelson Kennard and Thomas Kennard, two sister, Doretha Bailey and Elgie Matthews, two grandchildren, Steve Kennard and Tanya Hoy. He is survived by six children, a devoted son, Edsel (Janet) Kennard (Bear, DE), Bishop Erenda (Donnell) Kennard (Virginia), Ethel Reid and Rosalee Molock (Cambridge, MD), Diane Kennard (Wilmington, DE) and Beatrice Hoy (Salisbury, MD); 35 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; a devoted sister, Marian Green; a devoted grandson, Troy Emory; sisters in-law, Labella Kane, Doreatha Johnson, Geraldine Owens, Katherine Adams and Mary Molock Jones; three brothers in-law, Cleadore Molock, Martin Kane and Leroy Kane and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Services will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2012 1pm at Refuge Temple Church of God 800 Robbins St Cambridge with a viewing one hour prior. Interment in Beckwith Cemetery.