MR. ISHMAEL KENDALL

There are few lights which burn brighter than Ishmael Kendall. He was a creative, vibrant, brilliant, beautiful soul. He greeted all he met with his megawatt smile, infectious laugh, and irresistible charm. His good looks turned many heads, but his good way won many hearts. He had an effortless, easy manner, which ensured he never met a stranger and made everyone feel like his best friend. He loved his family. He loved his friends. He loved his music. And he loved the Dallas Cowboys. Ishmael read avidly and voraciously. His mind housed an astonishing amount of knowledge, and he loved challenging his family (especially his sister) to a game of Jeopardy. He created music, film, and poetry. He was a natural actor, a performer who even tried his hand at comedy. He learned by doing and by experiencing; consequently, the way he learned was not limited to the classroom. He was an Independence High School Patriot, a Naval Seaman, and so much more. His passion though, was the people whom he met and worked with as a bartender in the restaurant industry. He poured a mean cocktail and lent an ear to all those who came his way. He built bridges - not walls and enjoyed combining his friends and family for food and fun. He sprinkled blessings along his path and blessed the world with his children of both blood and love: Jaylen Kendall-Brooks, Lauren Kendall-Brooks, Roman Kendall-Fisher, Angel Kendall-Brooks, Kayla Woods, and Courtney Woods including her crew - Sincere, Lennox, and Banks. These beautiful children love and miss their father. He is also survived by his parents, Levones Taylor Chisholm and Humphrey Kendall, his sister Kimberly Kendall-Drucker (Laurence), his brother, Ravi Horsley, uncles, Kristopher Kendall(Christine) and Richard Kirk, aunts Marshalean Barrett, Yvonne Lee (James), Denise Kendall, Jenetha Kendall Zachary (Keith), Myra Elaine Kendall (Eric), Priscilla Broadway, Cynthia Griffith (Cecil), Ethel Kirk Hicks, and Gloria Jean Monk (Bobby). He is also survived by his boys – that band of brothers who knew him and loved him so well - including Bruce Blackmon, Shawn Black, Danny Chambers, Byron Hollie, Brian Rann, Brian Simpson, Shawn Walker, and Lloyd Williams. Additionally, his special friend, Kimberly Adamou touched his life and was there for him through surgeries, doctors’ appointments, and dialysis. Last, but certainly not least, Ishmael leaves behind maternal and paternal great aunts and uncles, cousins, and more friends than we can count. Families are built through love and sharing. We who called Ishmael family were incredibly blessed to do so. The world is a colder place without Ishmael’s warmth and love. Still, we are grateful to have held him in our arms and hearts for his 48 trips around the sun. Whether you knew him as Dad, son, brother, nephew, cousin, friend, Ishmael, Ish, or Holy Ish - Ishmael Kendall left an indelible mark on all our lives.

The Homegoing Services were held on Saturday, May 15, 2021, 11:00am, Smith's Memorial Chapel, 604 Salisbury Street, Wadesboro, North Carolina. Interment followed in Cottonville AME Zion Church Cemetery, Norwood, North Carolina.

The Kendall Family will greet family and friends on Saturday, May 15, 2021 from 10:30-11:00am at Smith's Memorial Chapel.