Kenisha Maxine Hawkins

On February 15, 1978, Kenisha Maxine Hawkins was born, the second beautiful baby girl to bless the life of her mother, Charlene Hawkins. Following the union of Charlene and Sylvester Brewster Sr., a special, lifelong father-and-daughter bond was created.

Known affectionately to those who loved her as “NeNe," she grew up in Kansas City, attending elementary and high school in the Hickman Mills School District. She proudly graduated from Ruskin High School with the Class of 1996. Dedicated and hardworking, Kenisha later earned her certification as a forklift driver. She turned this into a successful career path, most recently taking her skills to Piston Automotive, where she worked until her passing.

NeNe had a vibrant spirit and was very outgoing. Her gapped-tooth smile and contagious laugh would have you cracking up right along with her. At an early age, she began hunting with her father and brothers, sparking a lifelong love for all things nature. She was an animal lover who opened her home to many pets over the years, including hamsters and snakes, but most of all, she had a profound love for dogs; to NeNe, they were never just pets—they were her cherished fur babies. When NeNe wasn’t working, you could find her in a quiet fishing spot or locked into her favorite video games; but wherever she was; she was guaranteed to have a cup of Kool-Aid.

NeNe was preceded in death by her great-grandmother, Virgie West; her maternal grandmother, Dorether Brenson; her paternal grandparents, Jesse and Sylvester Brewster; her chosen brother, Cameron Howard; her beloved nephews, Gary Starr Jr. and Garyon Starr; and several other very close family members.

She leaves behind a massive, loving family to cherish her memory. Kenisha is survived by her devoted mother, Charlene Brewster; her father, Sylvester Brewster Sr. (Diane); her siblings: Gary Starr Sr. (Tennille), LaShaunda Rowe (Gary), Sylvester Brewster Jr. (Angel), Teresa Hawkins, Gerald Brewster Sr. (Ciera), Charles Bostic Jr. (Tamika), and Keysha Bostic.

NeNe was very devoted and fiercely protective of her many nieces and nephews: Brehanna, Marje, Rhyan, Sydney, Sabriah, Sylvester, Zay’Vion, Zhyion, Cameron, Brennan, Gerald Jr., Iyanna, Jaevel, Genesis, Geremiah, Ceazia, Anayzia, Titus, Geniyah, Geshon, GeAnthony, Geyahn, Dominique Sr., Aui’Tiana, Elisea, E’Laya, Drew, K’La, Nevaeh, Amiyah, Cordae, and Jayla; as well as her great-nieces and great-nephews: Nolan, Naiari, Tai’La, True, Knowledge, and Dominique Jr.

She also leaves behind her "chosen" sister and brothers, Janay Howard, JaVonn Myles, and Jermaine Johnson, along with an abundance of aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family, and friends who will miss her deeply.