W. A. “Pete” Kendrick, of Columbia, Mississippi, passed from this life into God’s presence on Friday, January 5, 2024 at the age of 91. He was born in Marion County as the third of four children to William Nathan and Birdie Lee Kendrick where he has remained a lifelong resident. He attended Improve schools and pursued courses at the University of Southern Mississippi. Pete was a member of Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association Board for forty-two years and served in several offices, including President. He also served on the Board of Cooperative Energy. As a member of the Columbia Lions Club for over fifty years, he served as President as well as holding other offices. He was a recipient of the Lions International Foundation Melvin Jones Fellow for outstanding humanitarian work. He served thirty-one years in the Army National Guard and retired as a Sergeant Major. Pete owned and operated the City Meat Market in Columbia for twenty years before retirement.
One of his loves was flying and he held multi-engine, instrument, and instructor ratings. Over the years, Pete taught many students how to fly and he also provided instruction at the Vo-Tech School. He enjoyed horse riding and trained horses for showing and racing. Pete had many hobbies and enjoyed gardening, playing Sudoku, playing dominoes on Monday night at Good Hope Family Life Center, and having coffee at 9:00 with his coffee buddies.
Pete loved his family and was grounded in his love for Jesus Christ. He was a dedicated, loyal, and faithful member of Good Hope Baptist Church for fifty-five years where he served as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, and past song director. Pete loved music and singing bass in church and quartet groups. He considered his faith in his Savior, Jesus Christ, to be his greatest achievement. Pete will be remembered as one of the kindest hearts with a deep conviction of right and wrong and for his ability to display great restraint in issues of controversy.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a wife, Naomi Rutland Kendrick; and two brothers, Ralph Kendrick and Nathan “Tiny” Kendrick. Pete is survived by his wife, Betty Kendrick; three children, Sharon Waits, Debbie Ladd and her husband, Wayne, and David Kendrick and his wife, Suzanne; three step-children, Lori Touliatos and her husband, John, Tina Sorey and her husband, Todd, and Lisa Cannella; a sister, Opal Smith; grandchildren, Joseph Waits and his wife, Ashley, Leah Dunn and her husband, Andrew, Andrew Myers and his wife, Sophie, Carly Kendrick, Sarah Kendrick, Spero Touliatos and his wife, Lydia, Carli Walt and her husband, Gus, Cameron Basse and her husband, James, Weston Touliatos and his wife, Hannah, Lawson Touliatos, Ashlin Cannella, Saige Sorey, Zach Sorey, Gage Sorey, and Silas Sorey; seven great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
There will be a visitation for Pete at Good Hope Baptist Church on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 from 12:00pm until 2:00pm. The funeral service, officiated by Brother Johnny Williams, will follow at 2:00pm. He will be laid to rest in the Good Hope Baptist Church Cemetery with military honors.
