Malcolm Isaiah Kent

“I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” (I Samuel 1: 27-28 NIV)

On July 30, 2005, Absolon and Thurraya Kent were blessed by the birth of their eldest child, Malcolm Isaiah Kent. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, Malcolm appreciated the outdoors from an early age. He loved long walks and talks with his YaYa, fishing with his grandfather, camping with his church family, water sports with his Nana Marci and Uncle Frank, and playing lacrosse with his teammates. His outgoing personality and intense ability to love were surpassed only by his amazing hugs.

Malcolm’s legacy far exceeds his 17 years on this earth. He was the inspiration for United States Senate Bill 487, which amended Title 10 of the United States Code in 2005, to grant military members paid leave when they are adopting children. Malcolm was also an inspiration for improved military behavioral health care services for youth in the National Capital Region, a fight the family will continue.

Malcolm saw structures and patterns that most of us did not see. As a graduating high school senior, he planned to attend a trade school and combine his trade and entrepreneurial spirit with his own real estate business. The family is comforted by his last family prayer to his Heavenly Father and his final words of love for his Earthly family.

Left to celebrate his memory are his loving parents, Absolon and Thurraya; his brother Matthias; grandmother Marian V. “YaYa” Barnwell; grandfather Dr. Bernard Kent, Jr.; aunts and uncle, Dr. Berneta and Winston Churchill, Schenterial Kent and Sharnda Kent; Godparents Frank and Marci Yurkovich and AaBram and Letitia Marsh; and special family friends Anthony and Davine Irving. He is also cherished by his birth family, the Cummings; and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandmother Patricia Kent.

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