Charles W. Kess

CHARLES WESLEY KESS, son of the late Albert "George" and Iona Kess, was born on February 27, 1926 in Baltimore, Maryland. He departed this life after a brief illness at the Keswick Multi-Care Center. He received his education through the Baltimore City Public School System after which time he joined the navy. After an honorable discharge, Charles met and married Novella Pearl McCann of North Carolina and through that union five daughters were born. He was widowed at an early age. Later Charles and Priscilla were introduced by a mutual friend and after a brief courtship they were united in holy matrimony. Again, he was blessed with another daughter and his only son. Charles, a self taught pianist, loved music and sang for many years with a group called The Baltimore Singers, with church choirs, as well as being a well-known soloist. He instilled the love of music in his children by introducing them to classical music and insisting that they all study the piano. He formed a singing group with his daughters, when they were very young called "The Kess Girls" who sang at local church functions. He delighted in making everyone who graced his door, including friends and neighbors, sing whether they were tone deaf or not. Charles was a fun loving man who commanded respect from the young and the old alike. He was a "little man with a big cigar" who truly enjoyed life to the fullest. He was the life of every party and always brought a smile to the faces of those around him. He had a golden tenor voice and took great pride in rolling his "R's" as he taught his children the fine art of diction while singing. He was employed by the Bethlehem Steel Company until his retirement and relished spending Sundays with his wife, children, grandchildren, and sons-in-law. A gentle but humorous man, Charles adored his grandchildren and affirmed that any music talent they possessed, came from his musical genes. Charles accepted Christ as a child and re-dedicated his life to the Lord prior to his going into the hospital under the loving guidance of one of his daughters. His oldest daughter puts it best when she stated, "Daddy did three things right. He married Mommy, kept us together after she died, and married Priscilla." Charles was preceded in death by his three brothers and one sister. He leaves to celebrate the memory of his life: his devoted wife, Priscilla Kess; daughters, Cynthia Kess-Wilson, Jacqui Kess-Gardner, Angela Shelton, Dale Torrence, Lakita Godsey, Karen Nixon, and son Charles A. Kess. He is also survived by sons-in-law, James Gardner Jr., William Shelton, Rev. AndrŽ Godsey, and Reginald Nixon. He lovingly leaves: grandchildren, Terri Kess, Charles Wesley Kess II, Jamaal Gardner, David Torrence, Daneka Torrence, Jermaine Gardner, Daniel Shelton, David Shelton and Andre Godsey Jr.; granddaughter-in-law, Sharon Kess; mother-in-law, Florence Gaines; twelve sisters-in-law, six brothers-in-law, and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends, including special friends, Marcus Williams and Winston Wactor.

Tributes

Charles W. Kess

February 27, 1926 - July 8, 2005