Kenneth R. Brown of Rockford departed this earthly life February 11, 2023. He was born February 3, 1950 in Plaquemines, Louisiana the son of Sara Thompson and Charles Brown. Kenneth lived in Rockford since 2005 coming from Louisiana. He married the former Valerie Evans November 17, 2013. Kenneth was employed as a Shrimper many years before relocating to Rockford due to Hurricane Katrina. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marines. Kenneth was a minister at Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church, where he played the bass guitar and sang in the choir.  He attended schools in Louisiana and California, later to receive his G.E.D.

Kenneth leaves to cherish many loving memories, his wife, Valerie; daughter Contrina Brown; son, Kendall Sylve; several grandchildren including special grandchildren, Lamyah and Tatyana Timms and Malik Moore; step children; Sharde, Cortney and Ricky; two sisters, Joyce Sherman and Judith Hildreth; two brothers, Jack (Lee) Sherman and Charles Sherman; a host of nieces, nephews other relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his parents; son, Kenneth Roy Jr; sister Joann Buford and brother in law, Keith Buford.

Services will be held 3:30 p.m. Thursday, February 16, 2023 at Carl E. Ponds Funeral Home Inc. 200 N. Johnston Ave. Visitation will be held 1:30 p.m. until the time of service