Kennetta Williams

Kennetta Renee Williams was born (nee′ Dowdell) on Thursday, March 2nd, on the sixty-second day of 1972 during an early taste of spring at 55⁰ in Columbus, Ohio. On another early spring day Tuesday morning March 11, 2025, she sailed into her heavenly eternal life.

She was educated in the Columbus Public School System. She attended Deshler Elementary, Franklin Middle School and graduated from Columbus Alternative High School.

Kennetta learned of God at an early age and reminded everyone that she not only had God on her side, but that she was also on the right side with God. She was baptized in her youth at Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church where she attended Sunday School. At the age of three, Kennetta became the youngest bride in a “Tom Thumb” Wedding church fundraiser. She sang in the youth choir, was a member of the young Starlite Guild, and was the proud winner of the 1982 Starlite Guild Mother’s Day Writing Contest. She also participated in the Corinthian Youth King & Queen Pageant and sang a melodious solo of the famous hymn “How Great Tho Art.” In this fundraising contest, Queen Kennetta and her King won the grand prize of 12” black & white televisions.

As a mother she had unwavering unconditional love for her children and was blessed with four loving daughters; Kiavonni Goins, Malakia Dowdell, Kevryn Williams and Kachelyn Williams, all who live in Columbus, Ohio. As a grandmother she was affectionately known as “Nani” to her three adorable grandchildren William, Lillian, and Noah. Her time spent with them at Zoombezi Bay, The Columbus Zoo, and the Universal Soul Circus was the best part of her life. She often babysat her oldest grandchild, teaching him how to ride a new bike she had recently purchased for him over the summer.

As a sister, Kennetta was the first born and made sure everyone knew it. She loved her sisters, and as an aunt she inspired her nieces and nephews to be good people and live life to the fullest. The greatest relationship she had was with her sister-cousins, who were by her side from the cradle to the grave. They were there for Kennetta no matter what, no matter the day, time, or hour, and they were never far from her side. They shared baby beds, clothes, school classrooms and many birthday parties. They were Kennetta’s wings when she could no longer fly. When her illness began to take its toll, they were all there, both her sisters and her sister-cousins, because they were her 3 AM sisters.

To those that called her friend she left a tremendous impact. She was considered a pillar of support and understanding. You only need to have a chat with Gina Carey or Shawne Williams to confirm her loyalty. Kennetta will be deeply missed but never forgotten by her lifelong friends.

Kennetta loved attending family reunions on both sides of her family. Whether it was a summer vacation in Georgia, a family cruise, a Palazzo at Highbanks Metro Park, backyard barbeques, Thanksgiving or a Christmas Holiday; Kennetta could be found with her feet under the family table, fork and spoon in hand.

Professionally, Kennetta was employed as a Traveling District Manager for McDonalds. She was also employed by The Columbus Communicator, Radio One, and she worked at the Neighborhood House in the Family-To-Family Department. She was most recently employed by The Veterans Administration Hospital.

Kennetta was proceeded in death by her late husband Kevin A. Williams. She leaves a legacy of love and cherished memories to her four daughters Kiavonni Goins, Malakia Dowdell, Kevryn Williams, Kachelyn Williams, and dedicated companion Kenneth Dickerson, her parents Kenneth Wakefield, Harriston and Gayle Dowdell Wilson; her siblings Tiffany Savanah, Asia Wakefield, Danielle Edmunds, and Sheena Wakefield, all of Columbus, Ohio; Celeste (David Petrarca) Wilson, Waltham, Massachusetts; Brandon (Jennifer) Wilson, Eaton, Ohio; and Tramele Staples, Robert Zuber, Tilghman, Maryland.

Kennetta is survived by her forever sister-cousins; Rana Dowdell White, Kimberly Starghill, Nikki Dowdell and Reagan Dowdell, her Aunts, Tei Street, Beverly Starghill, Carla McCarroll, all of Columbus, Ohio; Carol Dowdell, Decatur, Georgia, her Uncles Albert Wakefield, William Dowdell, and Dana (Nina) Dowdell, and her Great Aunt, Marion Scales, all of Columbus, Ohio. Numerous other cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends remain to cherish her memory.