Kevin HenryHand

Kevin Henryhand’s Life Songs

Kevin Henryhand was born on December 20, 1959 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Gus Henryhand and the late Francis Henryhand. Raised in Southwest Philadelphia, along with his brothers, Craig, Brian, and David, and sister, Joanne, family was key and love was the foundation.

Kevin graduated from University City High School in 1977, although given his strong work ethic, he was employed at the Kelly and Cohen restaurant during his high school years, working as a deli sandwich maker/waiter. It was while working at this job from 1973 through 1984, that Kevin also worked at Conrail (Consolidated Railways). Initially hired as an Information Technology Specialist, ultimately Keven was promoted to a manager. Leaving Conrail in 2000, in 2001, Kevin became employed at the Computer Science Corp located in Newark, Delaware, servicing as a Consultant and Senior Analyst for the company. From 2004 until 2015, Kevin worked at Fiserv, Financial Service where he advanced from a senior operator to a shift manager to a supervisor.

In June 2003, Kevin, who had given his life to the Lord, joined the Mt. Calvary Family Worship Center, where his brother Craig, who was married to the pastor, and several members of his family were also attending. Eternally grateful, Kevin pronounced, “Thank you for transforming lives through your love and compassion!” He served as a trustee, was faithful to the call of ministering at Manor Care, and was an exemplary representation of a transformed life. The more Kevin got closer to God and digested more of His Word, the more confident and at ease he became in his life. Kevin strongly believed that seeing God’s will done was more important than his own comfort or personal ambition.

Through his experiences with God, Kevin wrote that patient waiting is often the highest way of doing God’s will, believing that we commit the consequences to God and cling to His promises. One of Kevin’s favorite sayings: Everything, and I mean everything according to God’s will.

Kevin was always quick with a wittism, almost never taking anything too seriously, finding a little humor in almost everything, always quick with a smile. He was well known to be a very generous man, maybe to a fault, with everything he had. Petey once said of Kevin, “He’s like a Pez dispenser, just kick his leg and money comes out of his hands and pockets.” Kevin looked at it like this, “We share ourselves in another’s present difficulties. God motivates our giving. When you love, you give. When you give, you care.” So no matter what his needs, Kevin gladly gave to help someone else. He would often say, “What is the evidence of your salvation? A Christian’s life is a window through which others can see Jesus. Blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting. Live to give.”

Kevin was also known for being very opinionated, and although a quiet man by nature, the more passionate he was about the subject, the more louder he could become. Kevin not only verbalized his thoughts, but he often wrote his thoughts. He took great pride in his creative writing skills (ask Antonio Laws), writing many editorials for various newspapers and magazines during the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Kevin was often sought out by his peers, co-workers, friends, and family for his thoughts and opinions on a variety of local and worldly topics and he was not reluctant to share.

In 2012, Kevin’s health began to decline, gradually worsening as the years progressed. Inspired by the writings of the Apostle Paul, Kevin discovered the secret to contentment was to live on the basis of his position in the Lord, not his circumstances. He believed, “You have to enjoy giving up something for somebody else. It shouldn’t be a hardship to do that.” Kevin would often recite Psalm 119:71, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes” or Philippians 4:11, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” He continued to worship God, minister to others, and be a beacon of hope.

On May 23, 2019, Kevin peacefully transitioned, surrounded by family and friends, and went home peacefully to be with the Lord, joining his brother, Brian, his mother, Frances, and his brother, Craig.

Kevin leaves to cherish his wittism and memories, his life support team, his son, Domique Beard and son-nephew, Charles Henryhand; his daughter-niece, Candace Henryhand. Of his children, Kevin wrote, “I have been truly blessed to have them in my life. They are loves of my life, my true caretakers, who made my life comfortable to the very end. Words can NEVER expressed the love that I have for them. He also leaves to recall his love, his father, Gus Henryhand; brother, David Henryhand; sister, Joanne Lewis, special nephew, Timothy Cameron; his aunt, Sarah Clark; cousins, Oscar Clark, Dianna Noble, Renee Henryhand, and Rashida Taylor, his sister Pastor Sharon Smith, “whose pure, genuine, and unconditional love was purely inspired by God;” his life sister, Karen Robinson, Kim Wells, and Karen Wells, who mother loved and cherished him; brothers-in-love, Glen (Jimmy ‘D’) Daniels, Leon (Petey) Chapman, Thomas (Tommy) Tayon, who was in a million, Bradford Myers, Styvon Daniels, Gerald Daniels, Anthony (Moe-Moe) Mosely, and Shawn Jones; life brothers-in-Christ and special friends, Elder George Mosee, Deacon Roger Vicks, Minister Mike Nelson, John F. Murphy Jr. (and his wife, Vera), from Manor Care Nursing Home; life ministers and special friends: Lynn Mungen, Michael Felton, and Evan. Harry Ruff; life pastors for all eternity, James Mosely and Paul Cofer, “I am eternally grateful and thankful for introducing me to Christ a looooooong time ago; neighbors, friends, and special brothers-in-love, John Pelzer and family and Fitzroy (Fitz) Atwell and family; co-workers and special friends through the years, Dave (Uncle Dave) McCall (my mentor), John Shinn, and James Britton; and special life friends, Glynette Palmer, Edith (Lady E) Burrell, Gerldine (Gerry) Smith, and Patricia Beard.

Let us remember, real meaning in life is not found only in accepting Jesus as Savior, as well as that is. Rather, real life is when one begins to follow Christ as His disciple, learning of Him, spending time with Him and His Word, communing with Him in prayer, and walking with Him in obedience to His commands. So, let us learn to value Christ, to seek rest in the knowledge, love and service of the Savior.

God bless you all. I may be gone, but hopefully, not forgotten. Make a difference today for someone who is fighting for tomorrow.