Anderson Kendrick

Anderson Kendrick—known to close friends as Andy, to his children as Daddy, and to his grandchildren as Pop Pop or Grandpa Andy—opened the door to eternal reward on May 12, 2025, in Delaware City, Delaware, at the age of 77. A lifelong believer in Jesus Christ, Anderson was surrounded by love and prayer as he transitioned from life to life everlasting—confident in his salvation and ready to meet his Savior face to face

Born on June 8, 1947, in Macon, Georgia, Anderson lived a full, multifaceted life rooted in faith, family, and creativity. He honorably served in the U.S. Army, with deployments in Vietnam and Okinawa, Japan. After his military service, Anderson settled in North Jersey for many decades before moving to Claymont, Delaware, where he lived for the past 20 years

Anderson earned an associate degree from Essex County College and pursued undergraduate and graduate studies in education at Jersey City State College. He spent his career as an algebra teacher for special education students at Malcolm X Shabazz High School in Newark, New Jersey, where he transformed his classroom into a space of comfort—complete with a living room setup, kitchen area, and snacks he purchased himself. Though he retired nearly 30 years ago, he never stopped teaching. Whether it was art, history, or the “right” way to do something, Anderson felt called to illuminate the beauty of God’s creation and the dignity of Black life.

After retirement, Anderson studied at New Brunswick Theological Seminary and spent the next 27 years preaching and teaching the Word of God. He regularly returned to Georgia to serve as an evangelist at New Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Macon under Pastor Roy Wesley, Sr.—a congregation he loved deeply, especially its youth. In recent years, he also worshipped with his brother at Cornerstone Fellowship Baptist Church in Wilmington under Pastor Donald E. Dunnigan and with his daughter’s family at Sycamore Hill Church Wilmington under Pastor DuAne A. Davis.

A true renaissance man, Anderson’s legacy reached far beyond the classroom or pulpit. Famously entrepreneurial, he remodeled homes, deejayed, and curated art. He was a poet, philosopher, and fashion icon known for bold pattern mixing and rarely seen without a suit, cowboy hat, and boots—even in summer. His home was both sanctuary and gallery, filled with African and Black art. Certified as a professional framer, he dreamed of opening a gallery—though those who visited often said he already had. He loved oldies and jazz, often began sermons with reimagined lyrics, was a tremendous cook, and was never far from a good action film or Star Trek rerun. He drove fast cars (to the dismay of his passengers), and above all, he loved Jesus. His greatest legacy was his testimony—a declaration of Christ’s saving grace passed down to his children, grandchildren, and all who knew him.

Anderson was a devoted father and grandfather. He is survived by five children: Everett (Lynda), Evette, Titi-Tyree (Kareem), Chioke (Aisha), and Erika (Baron). He cherished his 11 grandchildren: Dexter (Danielle), Isaiah, Janaiah, Evan (Bianca), Elias (Natalia), Ebony, Dante, Andrea, Taylor, Alexis, and Leilani. He adored his great-granddaughters, Isana and Rilynn, and eagerly anticipated the birth of another great-granddaughter.

He is also survived by brothers Levi Clemonts II (Ronneane) and Eric Clemonts; sister-in-law Vonjlay Kendrick; and nieces and nephews Tracy, Stephanie, Keith, Levi, Lowell, and Eric. He remained close with his beloved Aunt Daisy Mae Taylor and treasured time with cousins and extended family in Florida and Georgia. Anderson maintained meaningful lifelong friendships with his former wife, Lenore P. Walden (Garrett), and former partner, Elaine Richardson (Bill).
He was preceded in death by his father, Roosevelt Kendrick Sr.; mother, Mildred “Gloria” Clemonts (née White); stepfather, Levi Clemonts; brothers Robert Kendrick and Roosevelt Kendrick Jr.; and maternal grandparents Lucius and Cinderella White. He is surely being greeted in glory by a great cloud of witnesses—beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins too numerous to name.

A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, June 13, 2025, at Sycamore Hill Church Wilmington, 2900 N. Van Buren Street, Wilmington, DE 19802, officiated by Pastor DuAne Davis. Visitation at 9:30 a.m. | Service at 10:30 a.m.

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