Countless members of the St. Charles Parish community have been mourning the loss of Pastor Kendall Pierre Sr., as the memories, kind words and condolences they’ve shared online highlighted the large and lasting legacy he leaves behind.
Pierre, who has served as Pastor at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in his native Ama for over a decade, passed away May 2 after a more than one month battle with COVID-19. He leaves behind his wife Sabrina and three children, Tayler, Kendall and Kaden.
He described himself as a husband, father, barber, coach, mentor and a servant of God, and he indeed had many talents and callings. Pierre grew up in a single parent household, and credited sports as something that helped him to “stay on the straight and narrow” in a 2019 interview with the Herald-Guide. That inspired his involvement as a longtime basketball coach and mentor for youth, using the sport as a point of interest to teach valuable life skills like work ethic, teamwork, commitment and accountability.
That included work with the Southeast Louisiana Education program,in addition to coaching with many other youth sports organizations . He noted many young athletes involved with the program came from difficult circumstances, and that his involvement with SELA allowed him to offer support, leadership and a positive message to guide them.
Pierre was also an assistant coach with the Hahnville High School boys basketball team, where he coached both of his sons.
The St. Charles Parish council made a statement following Pierre’s passing that he was “a role model for many and a shining light in the St. Charles Parish community” who would truly be missed.
Leaving a significant impact on his community
Many took to social media to share their memories of what made Pierre a special individual.
“Kendall Pierre had the uncanny ability to make you feel like you was his best friend, like you was special to him,” said Lance Markey of Ama. “No matter what was going on , he would always make you feel like you mattered. We all had a best friend in him and we all have broken hearts. Crazy thing is when I close my eyes and think about him, I can hear him saying ‘it’s OK, my brother.’”
Monica Swint, a longtime friend of Sabrina Pierre, said in her post that she was at a loss for word and her heart broken upon hearing the news.
“The way he looked at (Sabrina) was priceless. I’ve never met a man that loved his wife and family so much. He became my brother … Kendall Pierre always had the biggest smile and best greeting … My brother truly loved God and it showed in his everyday life.”
Derek Raymond of Hahnville said Pierre’s loss “shook up the entire community” because of the numerous lives he’s impacted. Darlene King of Hahnville said “there aren’t enough words to describe how truly kind and unique” Pierre was, and called his loss “hard to understand.”
Former LSU basketball coach and former Hahnville High star Pokey Chatman was Pierre’s cousin, and shared her thoughts on his loss through a video shared.
“We lost a tremendous human being. You’ve heard me talk about him, my pastor, my cousin, my friend, my colleague … he loved the round ball as well. (He) gained his wings yesterday as he transitioned. He battled, he fought for almost 40 days. A lot of tough days, but I can tell you the last four or five he was making tremendous progress.”
Chatman said Pierre’s family was preparing for the next phase of his recovery last Friday night, but that less than 12 hours later, he was gone.
Those were just a few thoughts shared among many others. A fundraiser posted last week to support Pierre’s family raised more than $22,000 in just three days to help cover his medical expenses (A GoFundMe page titled “Pastor Kendall Pierre’s Fight Against COVID-19).
According to the page, was admitted to the main campus of Ochsner on March 26, where he was admitted to the ICU and placed on a ventilator.
(Editor’s note and correction: The initial version of this story noted the GoFundMe was to raise money for funeral expenses in addition to medical expenses, based on information noted on an update to the fundraiser page that has since been corrected. The fundraiser was made to help the family with medical expenses only, not for funeral expenses, and we have updated the story accordingly.)
Condolences to the Pierre Family. May Pastor Pierre Rest In Peace. God give the family comfort and strength. We will miss him in a big way. To God Be The Glory.
I WAS BLESSED TO HAVE VISITED HIS CHURCH TWICE..RIP
My prayers are with you all.Kendall will be missed. But when he sees Jesus AMEN.
When I visit Ama,which was once home for me coming from California, I was truly blessed from his messages, singing at church and truly blessed to be in his company. I looked forward to always visiting Mt. Zion because of his messages and the fact that his messages drew my family members to God and that alone speaks volumes all by itself among his many accomplishments. Again, so young but accomplished so much in such a little time because that’s what GOD makes possible when you are a man after GOD’S heart. I also enjoyed his sermons on YouTube in California along with my Pastor’s. God blessed him with a beautiful, helper, Sabrina, his wife and children who made him proud. God bless and keep his mom,Ilene and grandfather, Mr. Irvin Pierre, Sr., aunts, uncles, cousins and church family. My comfort at this time is, “…to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord,” and I am trusting and believing God every step of the way for theirs. R.I.P. Pastor Kendall..sent to the family.
He was my neighbor when I lived in an email he was a very nice kind generous individual I know that he will be truly missed rest in peace Kendall.
He was my neighbor when I lived in Ama. On 335 Kennedy Street he was a very nice kind generous individual I know that he will be truly missed rest in peace Kendall.
2nd Corinthians-1-3-4,Blessed Be God,The Father Our Lord Jesus Christ,The Father Of Sympathy Snd Mercy, God Will You,Your Family,Family All Over,Friends,And Love With Comfort And Strength.
Condolences to the Pierre Family. God gives the family comfort, faith, love, and strength including the families of Ama who worship him tremendously. He is my baptizing minister, thank you. I will forever miss him is an awesome young man with that great big smile and communicator. Not seeing you during my hometown (Ama) visits will be very sad each time. Pastor Kendall and Mr. Kendall “To God Be The Glory” in you forever. May you Pastor Kendall Pierre Rest In Heaven.
May God Continue Strength
Beautiful PIERRE Family. REST IN PEACE
PASTOR PIERRE
Lord knows this was a Great Man!!! We have lost our leader, counselor, mentor, advisor, My Pastor, and I could go on and on but mostly we have lost “A Friend”!! My deepest condolences to his Beautiful Wife, Our First Lady, his children, and his family! K.P. You will truly be missed!!! You will Forever be embedded in our Hearts!
sleep on Kendell you will be missed down here
Sorry, for your lost, a great man, God Love him best, my sincere condolences to the Pierre family, be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. Agape Love
Praise God for the Life He lived and the services he gave, He was a man of God, He loved God, He love the Word of God and the people of God. He will be missed. RIP Cousin, I will continue praying for your family and the Mount Zion Baptist Church Family. II Timothy 4:7-8
Deepest Sympathy to The Pierre Family ! I am truly at a lost for words! It is my sincere prayer that God comfort and strengthen each of you during this time of bereavement.
Our hearts bleeds for you all the Pierre family. Our Pastors work is done and a job well done, he’s left an awesome legacy. I pray that God grants you all peace in knowing that he’s resting in the arms of God. Be blessed and we’re a phone call away if there is anything we can do for you all.
Pastor I Truly Miss You, And You Will (Always) Be Our Pastor. RIP
I literally Hate this. My Pastor, This is so unreal. I have
no one else now in this big ole world all by myself again. PASTOR Pierre WAS MY LIVING Earthly ANGEL, He helped rebuild my strength and willingness to live again. The Lord took a Leader of a congregation! One of the Best to preach on pulpit. That voice was one of his many god given blessings. I know the Choir in Heaven Glad he made it in!!…A pure Hearted person.
A saint in my eyes. A person who made you feel like no one else mattered when he communicated with you. I know he’s in Heaven with his Beautiful wings still don’t take away this uneasy lost feeling in my HEART. Condolences to HIS Firat Lady Sabrina you’ll always be my first lady. Sorry it took me so long. I am really saddened and emotional over the Demise of my Pastor. By and by peace MT. ZION Ama La…..justNicole.
I don’t know what inspired me to look Kendall up. In recent days I also thought about Mt Zion. I also thought about Norman Singleton. Kendall and I played ball together as kids. We used to get snowballs as a team after games at Norman’s snowball stand. This all before I knew Kendall was the pastor at Mount Zion. I am sorry for your loss.