Kenneth W. Lumpkin, 76, a pillar in the Racine area, opened doors for marginalized communities

Obituary for Kenneth W. Lumpkin

March 10, 1947 – August 13, 2023

Kenneth W. Lumpkin, “Ken,” was born March 10, 1947, to the late Phillip and Mary (née Sellers) Lumpkin in Montgomery, Ala. This union welcomed two boys, Sylvester and Ken. His brother Sylvester preceded him in death.

Ken graduated from George Washington Carver High School in Montgomery, Ala. During high school, he took a strong interest in photography. After high school, he served his country with the U.S. Army from 1964 until 1967. After moving around a little bit, Ken settled in and made Racine his permanent home. On Sept. 11, 1999, he was united in marriage to Helen (née Lloyd) Lumpkin.

Ken was a faithful pillar in the community of Racine, where he helped open doors for many people and campaigned for the rights and causes of minorities in Racine. Some looked at him as being a historian of his community. Ken owned and operated the Racine News, the Insider News, and was the co-editor of the Hispanic Chronicle. Ken was a former County Board Supervisor of the 4th district and President of Racine Interfaith Coalition. He received many awards for his services in his community, with the NAACP Theodore Harris Humanitarian Award being his most cherished.

Ken was a member of New Omega Baptist Church. Ken also enjoyed taking photos and videos for weddings, graduations and family functions, but taking photos in his community brought him great joy! He enjoyed playing cards, cheering on the Green Bay Packers and hanging out with his military buddies at Buck’s Lounge.

Kenneth W. Lumpkin leaves to cherish his memories his loving, devoted and faithful wife, Helen; his children, Patrick (Donna) Lumpkin, of Cache, Okla., Pamella (Antonio) Shelton, of Prattville, Ala., LaVaron (Jacques) Lumpkin, of Louisville, Ky., Keon Craddock, of Racine, Heather (Donte) Adams of Atlanta, Ga.; grandchildren, Ashley Craddock, Angelica (Zach) Brown, Robert Salazar, Tarence Banks Jr., Tashawn Banks, Ta’Nivea Craddock, Savannah Lumpkin, Keon Caddock Jr., Adonis Craddock, Tehgan Adams, Anniyah Craddock, and Gabriel Kenneth Lumpkin, great-grandsons, Mateo Brown, and Tarence (Trey) Banks III.

He is further survived by sisters-in-law, Darlito Lumpkin, of Washington D.C.; Besty Perkins, of Mattson, Ill.; Mary (Rev. B.L.) Richardson, of Albany, Ga.; Annie (Donnie) Berry, of Racine, Betty Lloyd-Nash, of Albany, Ga.; brothers-in-law, Kenneth (Shanelle) Lloyd, of Florence, S.C.; Dwight Lloyd, of Atlanta, Ga.; special nephews, Brian (Shatonya) Lumpkin and Brentic (Tiffany) Richardson II; good friends, Julius Gales, Jean Rogers, Kenneth Yorgan, Donnie Snow, Barney Nevelle, Neil Coney, Keith Fair, Dwight Mosley, Cliff Reed and Mamie Jennings; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents and brother, he was preceded in death by his sisters-in-law, Pastor Mildred Foster, and Jeanette Lloyd; brothers-in-law, Tommie Lloyd and Richard Perkins; niece, Yolonda Foster; Adonis Lloyd; longtime friend, James (Jimmy Dale) Oliver and his maternal and paternal grandparents.

Services

A Homegoing Service, with full military honors, will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 25, at the New Omega Baptist Church, 5731 Northwestern Ave. Visitation will be at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service.

Obituary and photo of Kenneth W. Lumpkin courtesy of Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home.