Everett Kenneth

Hobson

Everett Kenneth Hobson, affectionately known as "Kenneth," was born on February 1, 1938, in Washington, D.C., the only child of Everett Daniel and M. Elizabeth Hobson. He passed away peacefully on December 26, 2025 leaving behind a profound legacy of faith, discipline, service, intellect, and love that spans generations.

Everett Kenneth Hobson was the grandson of Beverly James and Eliza Ann Howell Hobson, the great-grandson of Jesse Daniel and Willianna Taylor Hobson, the great-great-grandson of Charles, enslaved by John B. Hobson in Powhatan, Virginia, and later in Goochland, Virginia, and Mary Hobson, enslaved in Cumberland, Virginia by Gideon Strange.

Kenneth's life was deeply rooted in his faith, his family, and his community.

His father and mother, both educators, instilled in him a deep passion for education and equal rights for African Americans. Together, Kenneth's parents were forces for education and equality, entrepreneurship and elevation.  Wanting to carry on their legacy, Kenneth made sure he learned everything about the farm and his parents' work. Growing up, he worked the farm—milking cows, gathering eggs from the chicken coop, feeding pigs, lighting fires, and chopping wood—all before going to school. When he returned home, there were just as many evening chores. Even with all this work, he listened in on the "adult" meetings his parents held as they strategized to gain rights for Blacks in the county. In an era when children were to be seen and not heard, little Kenneth quietly learned not only about farming and running a business, but also about the power of education, how to fight for freedom, how to stand firm in the face of hostility, and how to advocate for those who could not advocate for themselves. It is no wonder Kenneth grew into the man he became.

In his early childhood, Kenneth lived in Washington, D.C., in the Horton family home with his mother, Big Mama Eva (grandmother), and Grandpa Glenn. Later, Kenneth and his mother joined his father in Powhatan, Virginia, after the family farm home was completed. While in Powhatan, Kenneth attended Pocahontas High School where he excelled in math and science. After graduating near the top of his class in 1955,  Kenneth  attended West Virginia State College (now West Virginia State University, WVSU). During his undergraduate years at WVSU, Kenneth pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated and was an officer in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC).  He was also a member of the football team (1957-1960) and the 1959 Championship Track Team, where he lettered in several events. In June 1960, Kenneth graduated from WVSU with a bachelor's degree in Mathematics and a minor in Physics. He earned a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Defense Artillery Branch of the United States Army, where he served from 1960-1961.

While these were outstanding academic and athletic accomplishments, his greatest victory was winning the heart of Miss Norma Elizabeth Page. This was no small feat, as Miss Norma was deeply focused on her studies, pursuing a college degree in Botany and Zoology. She commuted daily to WVSU from the small town of St. Albans, WV, leaving little time for fraternizing with the smart jock-officer-fraternity man. To have a chance with Norma, Kenneth not only had to win her affection, but also the approval of her parents, grandfather, two very protective aunts, and any of Norma's seven siblings who wished to size him up. Kenneth, a gregarious man of determination, eventually won Norma's heart, and her family's approval. They were married on November 25, 1961, in Brooklyn, New York. While the military could have offered a bright future for the enterprising second lieutenant, Kenneth had a different future in mind for himself and his beautiful bride.

Kenneth left active duty in 1961, and he and his wife moved to Washington, D.C., where he worked for the United States Postal Service (1962) and Prudential Insurance Company (1962–1973). While at Prudential, and remembering the lessons of his youth, Kenneth continued his education, earning his Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation from the American College of Life Underwriters. Wanting to better understand how to fight and overcome systemic injustice, Kenneth pursued a law degree at Howard University in 1970, with two small children in tow—Carolyn (age five) and Rosalyn (age one). Norma, not to be outdone, joined him in law school. The two graduated from Howard University School of Law in May 1973 and welcomed their third child, Anica, in June 1973. After law school, they became members of the District of Columbia and West Virginia Bars. From 1973 to 1976, Kenneth worked as a Legal Advisor for the Securities and Exchange Commission. He later served as Second Vice President for the Bankers Security Life Insurance Society from 1976 to 1989. After leaving Bankers Security, Kenneth started his own real estate and legal consulting business, eventually owning properties in four states and the District of Columbia. In addition to his legal and real estate pursuits, Kenneth served honorably in the United States Army Reserve, rising to the rank of Major and completing twenty years of service.

Though he enjoyed professional success, Kenneth always placed family above career. He and Norma invested deeply in the rearing of their three daughters. Kenneth often said he could do anything a woman could do—except give birth—and he wanted his girls to know they could do anything a man could do. He emphasized the importance of math, science, and engineering, even when those fields were male-dominated in the 1970s and 1980s. Together, Kenneth and Norma reared God-fearing, educated, self-sufficient, fiscally responsible women who could thrive on a farm or in a city, in low-income communities or in high society. Believing that exposure shapes purpose, the family traveled across the United States and abroad so their daughters would understand the breadth of who they could become and appreciate the blessings they had been given. He also ensured the girls spent time with their extended family, taking them to visit family during holidays, attend family reunions (many of which he helped organize), and participate in important family events. Through these experiences, he instilled in them the importance of family, spirituality, education, and legacy - values that are clearly reflected in the lives and accomplishments of his daughters. Carolyn earned degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Management, including a Ph.D.; Rosalyn earned bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in Electrical Engineering; and Anica earned a bachelor's degree in Engineering and a Juris Doctor degree.

Above all, Kenneth's life was anchored in his faith. Born into a Baptist home, his spiritual journey deepened through many long conversations with Norma's aunts, Reverend Mabel E. Page and Pearlie S. Page. These conversations, along with encouragement from his daughters, led him to give his life to Christ in 1977. After attending a revival service led by the late Elder John F. Morris and his niece, Pam Morris Walton, at Holy Temple Church of Christ, Kenneth and Norma found their church home at Holy Temple. Under the ministry of the late Bishop Joseph Weathers and his successor Bishop David Myrick, Sr., Kenneth served faithfully for more than forty years—after first being filled with the precious gift of the Holy Ghost, as evidenced by speaking in heavenly tongues, during a Tuesday night Prayer, Preaching, and Deliverance service. He later testified that after receiving the Holy Ghost, his hands looked new, his body felt new, and his spirit was lifted.

Kenneth studied the Word of God and took on many roles and responsibilities in the church. Always willing to step in where needed, he served on the deacon board and taught Sunday School for decades. He also served as the church's financial officer, conducted financial seminars, and was frequently called upon to assist members and other churches with financial, tax, and legal questions. He was deeply passionate about mentoring young people and ensuring they had the best possible opportunities in life. To that end, he helped establish Holy Temple Christian Academy, organized youth trips, and supported Vacation Bible School. He regularly took time to ask the youth about their grades, aspirations, and the plans for achieving them. Through constant encouragement, he inspired them to believe in themselves, give their best effort, and strive to become the best versions of themselves.

Kenneth's Christian walk extended far beyond Holy Temple. Together with his wife, Norma, they fellowshipped with churches across the U.S. and ministered internationally through the Apostolic World Christian Fellowship (AWCF), traveling to more than a dozen countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Whether helping to build schools, supporting recovery efforts after natural disasters, worshiping in underground churches in countries where Christianity was illegal, or ministering openly in impoverished townships, Kenneth's message remained the same: "Jesus saves."

As he entered later seasons of life, Kenneth went on to lead the Holy Temple Golden Age Club, organizing senior trips, educational seminars, and celebratory events. An avid fisherman, as often as possible, he could also be found fishing on a charter boat with friends or with his son-in-law at a pier or shore. Kenneth had a two-pronged philosophy to fishing that can be summed up as follows: "If it gets on my hook, it goes in my bucket" and "Hip never hurts if the fish are biting."

In 2023 Kenneth moved to Yulee, Florida, where he lived across the street from his daughter Carolyn who became his caregiver.  During this season, he joined the Bethel Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida, under the leadership of Bishop Rudolph McKissick Jr., where his daughter Carolyn is a member.  Even in his eighties, Kenneth remained actively engaged in church life and continued to pour into others.

At Bethel, he served in the Kingdom Care, Men's, and Military Affairs Ministries. He was quickly recognized for that signature, committed, hands-on mentorship.  He challenged young people to do better - checking on their grades, encouraging higher standards, and urging them to think thoughtfully about their goals.  With young adults and older members alike, he remained engaged, offering guidance rooted in faith, responsibility, discipline, and financial wisdom.

Kenneth Hobson never met a stranger.  No matter who you were, he was always curious about you, with endless and sometimes uncomfortable questions, and could never end a conversation without offering some wise advice.  Everyone who has received his counsel and put it into practice are legacies of Everett Kenneth Hobson.  We are grateful for the life he lived, the love he shared, and the wisdom he provided.

Everett Kenneth Hobson leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 64 years, Norma Elizabeth Hobson; daughters Carolyn Roy (Paul), Rosalyn Hargraves (Malcolm), and Anica Hobson; grandchildren Maurice Roy, Seth Roy, Jonathan Hobson, and Frances Elizabeth Hargraves; great-grandchildren Lyric Roy, Giovanni Roy, and Nialla Hobson; first cousin, Ronald Horton; dear friends Evanna Powell and Ulysses Jones  and a host of extended family and friends.

From slavery to land ownership, from poverty to prosperity, the Hobson lineage rose with strength and sacrifice, becoming a lasting foundation for generations yet to come.

Remains rest at Scott's Funeral Home, 115 E. Brookland Park Blvd., where private viewing will be held on Thursday, January 8. Funeral services will be held 12 noon Friday, January 9 at St. Paul's Baptist Church, 700 E. Belt Blvd. Interment will be held Saturday, January 10 at 11 a.m. at Little Zion Baptist Church Cemetery, Powhatan, VA .