Kenneth Lee Alder

Reverend Kenneth Lee Alder, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and devoted servant of the Lord, went home to be with his Savior at 3:23 AM on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at the age of 85. Kenneth was born on October 28, 1940, in Edmonston, Maryland, to William Raymond Alder and Thelma Bernice Alder.

He grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland, alongside his 13 brothers and sisters.

Kenneth proudly served his country in the United States Air Force from 1960 until his honorable discharge on August 24, 1966. While stationed in Kansas City, Missouri, he experienced a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ during a Mexican mission outreach—an event that would shape the rest of his life and ministry. During that time, he also worked for the City of Kansas City, Missouri. He was then stationed in Cutbank, Montana during the Vietnam War.

Following his military service, Kenneth dedicated his life to evangelism and ministry. In the spring of 1972, he met the love of his life, Gloria Diane Crite. The two were engaged in December of that year and were married on June 15, 1973—a union that would be blessed for more than fifty years.

Kenneth became a licensed minister with the Assemblies of God in Carlinville, Illinois, in 1975. Later that year, he and Gloria welcomed their first child, Michelle Renae Alder on July 26, 1975. Kenneth’s ministry led the family to many communities where he pastored and served faithfully, including Sylacauga, Alabama, where their son Michael Lee was born on June 2, 1982, and Maryville, Illinois, where their daughter Angel Nicole was born on April 30, 1986.

Throughout his decades in ministry, Kenneth pastored several congregations across the country, including churches in Alabama, Louisiana, Illinois, and West Virginia. Among them were Trinity Assembly of God (AL), Faith Assembly of God (LA), Faith Tabernacle (WV), Full Gospel Pentecostal Church (WV), and Evangel Pentecostal Church in Tuscarora, WV, where he served as pastor until the spring of 2020.

In addition to his ministry, Kenneth also worked at Francis Collins Funeral Home in Silver Spring, MD, for a number of years, and later at Shenandoah Valley Medical Center in patient transportation and security until his retirement in 2021.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, William and Thelma Alder, and his siblings, Gloria Alder, Georgie Alder, A set of twins, William Raymond Alder, Jr., Clayton Eugene Alder and Robert Dean Alder.He is survived by his devoted wife, Gloria Diane Alder of Martinsburg, WV; his three loving children, Michelle Renae Alder of Martinsburg, WV; Michael Lee Alder, Sr. of Martinsburg, WV; and Angel Nicole Alder (fiancé, Dominic Joseph Nacarato, Jr.) of New Bern, NC. Kenneth also leaves behind nine cherished grandchildren: Dakota, KamrieLyn, Grace, Michael Jr., Wesley, Waylon, Jessa, Josiah, and Arya.Ken also leaves behind his siblings Barbara, Carroll, Beverly, Deborah, and Patsy, along with multiple nieces and nephews who will fondly remember him.

Kenneth’s legacy of faith, compassion, and unwavering love will continue to live on in the countless lives he touched through his ministry, service, and family.

In celebration of his life, visitation will be held at Rosedale Funeral Home from 11:00 am to the start of funeral services at 1:00 pm with Pastor Hank Caton officiating. Interment will follow in Rosedale Cemetery.