Kenneth Steve Prosser

Kenneth “Kenny” Steve Prosser, age 75, of Charleston, SC went home to be with his Lord on Saturday evening, July 2, 2022. He was born on November 5,1946 in Charleston, SC to the late Zoland Lee Prosser and Carrie Blanche Prosser.

He was the Public Works Director for the City of Hanahan for many years. Some years after retirement, he moved to Mobile, Alabama. Upon learning of his cancer condition at the end of 2021, he moved back to Charleston, SC so that his daughter could help care for him. During his first few months home, he was happy to be able to spend time with his mother, Carrie Blanche Prosser, before she passed away on February 18, 2022. Carrie had a large funeral with many in attendance. He was thrilled to see family and friends again that he had not seen in a long time.

He had an amazing sense of humor. His quick wit was always on point. He had nicknames for everyone and once you had yours, you were stuck with it. I’m sure a few of my friends would like an opportunity for a redo. You know who you are. I’m thankful mine was “baby girl.”

His daughter a/k/a “baby girl” would like to share in her own words what she learned about her father in these last months.

It was an incredible honor to have helped care for him. He had a way of drawing people in and making them want to be around him. His caregivers became attached to him in such a short period of time. You would have thought they had known him for years.

Two and a half weeks before he passed, he was taken from a doctor’s appointment to the Emergency Room. We came very close to losing him that day. There were lots of staff members working on him trying to stabilize his vitals. One of them asked “Mr. Prosser, is there anything we can get you to make you more comfortable?” He said something inaudible that they had him repeat several times. They then looked at me. I said he would like “a blonde, a brunette and a red head.” I looked at Dad and he smiled. Everyone in the room laughed and could not believe he was making jokes in his condition. He loved to make people laugh and he was very good at doing it.

He was incredibly stubborn. I once told him on a late-night call that we are much more alike than I ever imagined. It became a standing joke. When a physician would tell me he refused to do physical therapy or even walk that day, they would ask me to talk to him. I let them know that I had already tried that and that he knew what he would and would not do. He was stubborn and “it runs in the family.”

He had many cousins, family members and friends that he grew up with who have stories of many good times. Cousin Peggy Wayne, with whom he was particularly close, shared some of those with me. This was well before cell phones and social media. It is evident in hearing those stories that those times were some of the best times of their lives and that they treasure those memories. He will be sorely missed by many.

Kenny is survived by his daughter, Christie Prosser Jackson (Rick), his son, Steve Prosser, his step-children, Robert Derrell Saunders, Anthony Mark Saunders, Eric Grey Eades, Jeffrey Scott Eades, grandchildren, Christopher Saunders, Matthew Anderson (Mara), Ashley Jackson, Grant Prosser, his great grandchild, Jack Anderson, nieces and nephews, Michael Grier (Julie), Linda Grier Vinneau, Cheryl Grier Johnstone (Yvonne), Michael Grier, Jr., Robert Grier, Justin Palarino (Lauren), Lauren Crago (Levi), Amanda Johnstone, Aunts, Edna Venters, Katherine Powell and Harry Joe Gray and many cousins.

Kenny is also survived by Betty Jean Davis, whom he had known since he was child. Betty Jean was a huge source of strength and encouragement for Kenny over the last several years and the relationship he had with her meant the world to him.

Kenny is preceded in death by his wife, B. Sue Doffin Prosser, his sister Jackie Hailey, his aunts and uncles, Valerie Smith, Madeline Dennis, Rose Lee Prosser, Pansy Gray, Billy Gray, John Edward Gray, Carroll Gray and Bobby Gray and his grandparents, Dargan Z. Gray, Annie L. Gray and Tensil Gray.

A Celebration of Kenny’s Life will be held at the end of August on Johns Island, SC. Details will be forthcoming.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.carolinamemorial.com for the Prosser family.