Mr. Andre Stephens

Obituary

Life Reflections

Andre’ Jamal Stephens was born on February 25, 1982, at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri as the youngest child of Dwayne E. Stephens, and Jaunice Kennybrew-Johnson. Andre adored  the Kansas City metropolitan area and considered it his hometown until his unexpected passing on  Saturday, April 16, 2022, at the age of 40.  

At an early age, Andre accepted Jesus Christ as his savior and was proudly baptized by his grandfather and Pastor Reverend Charles Kennybrew, at 9th Street Baptist Church in Lawrence, Kansas. He would  later become a member of the Antioch Baptist Church, Kansas City, Kansas where again he was pastored  by his grandfather Reverend Charles Kennybrew. The congregation warmly embraced and encouraged  Andre’ to continue worshiping the Lord after his grandfather’s retirement and under the leadership of  Reverend Meredith Sullivan, Pastor. Throughout his life, Andre held a very strong personal relationship  with God, and he was a firm believer in following the ways and teachings of Jesus Christ.  

To all those who were blessed to truly know him, Andre was renowned for his devotion to his friends and family, his jovial sense of humor, his love of Kansas City Chiefs football, and his ambitious and  resilient nature. He was particularly a very loving father, husband, son, cousin, grandchild, nephew, and  brother. To that end, Andre was also known for his impromptu tendency to reach out to the people he  loved, no matter the time of day, to simply express and reaffirm his feelings of gratitude, love, and  admiration.  

Andre was a 2001 graduate of Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts, where he learned to play the saxophone and first developed his notorious passion for music. During his youth, he particularly  enjoyed the classic and traditional sounds of jazz greats like Duke Ellington, Charlie “Bird” Parker, and  Wayne Shorter. During his free time, he also enjoyed listening to 1990’s era hip-hop and RnB as a  means to relax and unwind from the stresses of everyday life.  

In addition to his high school accomplishments, Andre also completed a 2-year culinary certification program at Kansas City’s Manuel Career Technology Center in 2001 before beginning his diverse 20-year  career in the culinary arts. The culmination of his hard work and professionalism was directly evidenced  by his selection to temporarily fill a key management role within the restaurant group where he was  well-regarded and employed as a chef. 

In summation, Andre was an affectionate, protective, caring, religious, determined, and charming man who will be remembered for the joys he always desired to bring to the lives of everyone that knew him.  

 He is proceeded in death by his father: Dwayne E. Stephens; brother: Daunte Thomas; niece: Delicia Johnson; paternal grandparents: Herman and Dorothy Stephens; grandparents: Clarence and Irene  Williams Sr.; aunt: Rosemary Williams, and uncle: Terrence Williams. 

Andre’ leaves to continue his legacy and cherish his memories; wife: Jennifer Stephens; daughter: Nevaeh Stephens; step-daughters: Brianna Martinez (Marcus), Destiny Cole; parents: Jaunice and  Clarence Williams Jr.; sister: Latreece Williams; brothers: Darreyl Johnson(LaToya), El'tionte Akins,  Michael Stephens(Maria); maternal grandparents: Charles and Christine Kennybrew; aunts: Anna  Kennybrew-Robinson (Bobby), Donna Stephens-Johnson, Denise Rivers; cousins: Tiaunna Martinez  (Aaron), Weylin Bruce (Shannon), Byron Bruce (Olga), RaShaunda Mutai (Conley), Tawanna Williams,  Demond Williams (Christy), Charles Agee Jr. (Rosalind), Bryan Agee, Monica Agee-Tillman, Farrah  Riddick, Thomas Kenneth Rivers; nieces, nephews and a host of other loving relatives and friends.

Funeral Service will be held Saturday, April 30, 2022, 2:30pm at the Watkins Heritage Chapel. Private Disposition. Visitation will be from 1pm-2:30pm at the chapel Service conducted by Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be shared on our website.