Kenneth Donnell Hames, 65, of 112 Brugg St, Blacksburg, passed away Thursday, April 21st, in Greer Memorial Hospital, Greer, SC.
He was born in Cherokee County and was a son of the late Betty Hames Collier and Timothy Smith.
Kenneth was a 1976 graduate of Blacksburg High School, where he was the MVP of the Blacksburg High track team and also played saxophone in the marching and concert bands. After graduating he later worked as a DJ under the stage name “Brother Guitar”.
Ken joined Trinity AME Zion Church in Blacksburg, South Carolina, where he served on the trustee board for period of time.
Ken was employed at Magnolia Finishing Plant as a mechanic for over 30 years. While at Magnolia, Ken’s love for bowling introduced him to a host of bowling friends from West Lane Bowling, StarMax Bowling (later known as “The Big E”), and other bowling alleys across South Carolina. Ken also enjoyed attending drag racing events with his brother, Melvin, and his long time childhood friend Monroe (Benjamin).
Ken was very talented and excelled in several activities throughout his life. From an early age, he loved athletics, music, and musical performance. He taught himself guitar, then later piano, drums, vocals, and vocal harmonizing. Ken, along with a group of friends, Benjamin (Monroe) Smith, Terry Lee (Chap) Smith, Randy (Big Hus) Huskey, and Berkett Saegars, formed The Mighty Renaissance Band.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Melvin Collier.
He leaves to cherish loving memories: a son, Ryan Hames, of Gaffney; a daughter, Kenya Hames, of Gaffney; former wife, Ruby Smith Hames, of Gaffney; step-father, Elijah Collier (Yvette), of Kannapolis, NC; a brother, Darryl Collier (Cheryl), of Greer; a step-sister, Heather Collier, of Concord, NC; an aunt, Ruby Mae Hames who raised him in her home, of Blacksburg; step aunts, Sue Collier, Kat Eller, and Shirley Whitaker; special uncle, Willie Lewis Hames (Margaret); brother-in-law and childhood friend, Benjamin (Monroe) Smith; sister-in-laws, Ann Wilson, Christine (Herbert) Vanlue, Jacqueline McClure, and Leticia Collier; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Public Viewing – Saturday, April 30, 2022 in the Gilmore Mortuary from 12:00 -6:00 p.m.
Funeral Service will be held Sunday, May 1st, at 2:00 p.m., in Trinity AME Zion Church, with the Rev. Chelsey Simms and Rev. SL Ford. Interment will follow in Clingman Memorial Gardens, Blacksburg, SC. Kenneth will be in state in the church an hour before service.
The family is at the home his aunt, Ruby Hames, 302 E. Cherokee St., Blacksburg.