Awilda Pearl Kennedy Kight, affectionately known by her family and childhood friends as “Wig,” was born on December 27, 1958 in Winnsboro, South Carolina to the late James Kennedy, Jr. and Viola Davis Kennedy.   She grew up in the Winnsboro neighborhood of Zion Hill with many neighbors and friends.

A Celebration of Life for Awilda Pearl Kennedy Kight will take place Friday, June 23, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. at the Essence Event Center located at 1126 US 321, Winnsboro, SC 29180 (next to Food Lion).

Awilda attended Gordon Elementary School, Fairfield Middle School and graduated from Winnsboro High School in 1977.  She was very active in many activities during her formative years.  At Gordon Elementary, she was the May Day Queen in the first grade.  During the State of South Carolina’s year-long Tri-Centennial celebration, a beloved teacher, Mary Katherine Whitener formed a dance group known as the Clog Hoppers.  Awilda, her sister Sonya, and their classmates performed in many venues around the state.  In high school, Awilda played junior varsity and varsity basketball and participated in many other activities.  She was also a member of the St. Paul Baptist Church and was baptized at an early age.  There, she also participated in many church programs.

Awilda attended Tuskegee University and Alabama State University in Alabama, and graduated from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta.  While at Tuskegee, she met Robert L. Kight, and they married in 1988.  In March 2023, they celebrated 35 years of marriage.  From their union were born a daughter, Niya, and a son, Kai.  Their children were the center of Awilda’s life.  Later, she became Loli to two beautiful grandchildren, Lake, and Zen.

Her successful career in accounting as a Controller spanned more than 25 years.  She mentored many young professionals in the field who highly regarded her skills and regularly reached out for career advice.  She also had a great work/life balance.  She and Robert opened their home to young people whom they nurtured and mentored.  Awilda loved decorating and fashion.  She filled their home with beautiful antiques and was affectionately known by the local Tuesday Morning store staff.  She also loved to entertain and hosted parties and celebrations for her family and friends.  She inherited her mother’s cooking skills creating many exotic dishes.  After retiring, she started an online clothing store known as Butterflies and Pennies.

Awilda departed this life on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 surrounded by her family and friends.  She leaves a legacy of memories for those who loved, respected, and admired her.  She leaves to cherish her precious memories - her loving husband, Robert; daughter, Niya; son, Kai, and grandchildren, Lake and Zen.  She is also survived by loving siblings, Donald, Ronald, Inga, Sonya, Tony and Leeshu and other relatives and close friends.  She also leaves a legacy of memories for those who loved, respected, and admired her in the Kight and Walker families.  In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by a loving brother, Stanley.

In lieu of flowers, donations maybe made to the Robert & Awilda Kight Memorial Scholarship Fund at Tuskegee University.  To make donations online, go to Give Tuskegee at https://www.tuskegee.edu/support-tu/give and use the following steps:

Identify amount

At designation, select other and type in Robert & Awilda Kight Memorial Scholarship Fund, provide donor information, submit donation.

Or donations can be made by mail by sending it to:

Tuskegee University, Office of Development, ATTN:  Robert & Awilda Kight Memorial Scholarship Fund, 1200 W. Montgomery Rd., Tuskegee, AL  36088