Kenneth Staley, Jr.

Obituary of Kenneth Staley, Jr. 1943-2025

Born on April 20, 1943, Kenneth Staley, Jr. departed this life on July 18, 2025 in Loris, SC at the age of 82.  Kenneth was the last surviving child of Kenneth and Jeanette Staley. 

The middle child of 7 children, Kenneth grew up with his family in Horry County, SC.  His father passed away when he was 11 yrs old.   Life was hard without their father, but the older children helped to take care of the younger children while his mother worked.  His mother Jeanette valued education and insisted that the children go to school vs. working in the field.  He often spoke of walking to school with cardboard in his shoes because he had holes in them.  Educated in Horry County Public Schools, Kenneth graduated from Finklea High School.  He went on to attend Morris College in Sumter, SC but was unable to finish college due to finances.

Shortly after leaving college, Kenneth moved to Baltimore, MD.  His Uncle Wade and Aunt Dora graciously opened their home to him while he found work.  He worked at a restaurant and a textile company and helped to support his family back in SC while his older brothers served in the armed forces.  After passing the postal exam, Kenneth started work at the United States Postal Service.  He got several promotions and worked at various post offices in Baltimore.  He took pride in his work and retired after 37 years of service.

Shortly after arriving in Baltimore, Kenneth met the love of his life Barbara Friend.  He often told the story of how he met her.  She was sitting on the stoop with a friend and he stopped to speak with her.  As he told it, she was not interested in “no country boy”, but he says he wore her down.  After getting permission from her father, he did indeed court her, and the two were married on June 1, 1968.  Not too long after getting married, Kenneth helped to move his mother and siblings to Baltimore when his mother began having some health issues.  Kenneth and Barbara went on to raise their four children in Baltimore County and also cared for nieces and nephews along the way.  They celebrated 50 years of marriage with a vow renewal ceremony in 2018, before Barbara’s passing that same year.

In the early 1980s, Kenneth gave his life to Christ.  He heard the gospel preached at a funeral and accepted Jesus Christ as his savior.  He joined that same pastor’s church, First Baptist Church of Pimlico and began bringing the family to church with him.   Kenneth had a thirst for knowing God. He spent long hours studying the bible, and had a vast library with dozens of bibles, commentaries and study guides.  He became a Sunday School teacher and a deacon and served in ministry at FBCP for over 25 years.

Kenneth was a hard working family man.  He often worked extra hours to provide for his family.  Kenneth and Barbara always did things together as a family– visiting family, summer outings at the park, church retreats, attending children’s sports games, going to church events, etc.  Kenneth was an avid reader and always wanted to know what was going on in the world.  You would often find him reading the newspaper or watching the news.  He also enjoyed fishing and bowling.

After raising their family in Baltimore, MD, Kenneth and Barbara retired to his hometown of Loris, SC in 2005.  Retired from USPS, Kenneth was a school bus driver for Horry County, while Barbara worked as a teacher.  He returned to his roots, farming a large garden and raising chickens. The couple joined Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, where Kenneth served as Sunday School teacher and deacon.  He was a faithful member of the church for many years before his decline in health.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his lovely wife, Barbara Friend Staley, and his siblings: Grady Staley, Lois Buchanan, Herman Staley, Joe Staley, Geraldine Perry and James Staley.  He leaves to cherish his memory, his children: Kenethia Abdullah (Shasanta), Kenneth Daron Staley (Aisha), Kendrick Staley, Keina Staley and dear nephew Marlo Bumbray, grandchildren:  Khari Lee, Kimani Lee, Ashia Abdullah, Malika Abdullah, Anaiyah Lewis; great-granchildren:  Khalil Lee, Kaleb Lee, Kehlani Lee, a devoted aunt Beatrice Meekins and a host of family, church family and friends.

The Visitation will be held Friday, July 25, 2025 at Latimer's Funeral Home 3-6PM.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 11:00 am with a wake beginning at 10:30 am at-

Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church

2931 Mt. Olive Road

Loris, SC  29569

Phone: (843) 756-0715

Memorial service will be held in Baltimore, MD on August 16, 2025 at-

First Baptist Church of Pimlico

5301 Beaufort Avenue

Baltimore, MD 21215

3:30PM

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.