Mrs. Kay T. Kennard

Born on October 19, 1938, in Lawton, WV, Kay was the youngest daughter of Theodore Ferguson and Annie Martha Rice Ferguson. She received her education through the Raleigh County School system and her college degree from Bluefield State College, majoring in elementary education. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age. Her unwavering faith brought her contentment throughout her life and sustained her during her illnesses.

Kay was a born educator, devoting nearly five decades to shaping young minds in Cleveland. Her philosophy - ‘administer discipline, but don’t kill the spirit' - guided her, leaving a lasting impact on her students and colleagues. She retired from the East Cleveland School system in 1999. During her career, she was recognized as a Jennings Scholar and an outstanding educator.

Kay married Claude Kennard on August 19, 1979. Although they had no children together, they helped raise Kay’s children, Wonder Baxter Schneider and Jamal Jeter.

A loving mother, OMA, great-OMA, sister, and aunt, Kay’s greatest joys came from spending time traveling and interacting with family and friends. Kay had many passions that enriched both her life and those around her. Her most beloved passion was preparing ‘memory’ books for friends, filled with memorable events, pictures, and Bible verses. She also spent time offering a ‘sex education boot camp’ for young boys to help them grow up to be responsible and respectful men.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents, Theodore and Annie, and by her siblings, Willa ‘Patty’ LaVerne Saulters and William Howard Ferguson. She is survived by her sister, Mary Lynn Yvonne Ferguson of Pontiac, MI.

She leaves behind her children, Wonder Baxter Schneider of Beachwood, OH, and Jamal Jeter (Dvora) of Westlake, OH; grandchildren, Coco Schneider Tomlin (David) of Mapleton, UT, Talya Jeter, Mia Jeter, Rayna Jeter of Westlake, OH; great-granddaughters Joy Tomlin and Noel Tomlin of Mapleton, UT;

nephews/nieces Bruce Saulters, Patrick Saulters of Cleveland, OH, Angela Reed Smith (Kevin) of San Diego, CA, Dana Peery and Huevon Peery, II (deceased) of Pontiac, MI, Keith Ferguson, Kelvin Ferguson, Kim Ferguson (deceased), Kelly Ferguson (deceased) of Columbus, OH; friend and ex-husband, David Jeter of Westlake, OH; and extended family and friends.

Kay’s celebration of life will be held at First Baptist Church of Greater Cleveland to honor this loving woman whose faith never wavered. We pray that her time on God’s earth brought comfort to those who crossed her path.