Kenneth Lee “Kenny” Potts
Kenneth Lee Potts of Climax, Michigan passed away March 3, 2021. He was a former resident of Bledsoe County, growing up in the Hendon community.
Kenny was born on December 25, 1956 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was the son of the late James Earl Potts and Emma Jean Potts, and birth mother, Adele Clayborn Bischoff. He attended Bledsoe County Schools and was a member of the BCHS Class of 1975. He credited his love of books and travel to his third grade teacher, Mrs. Willie B. Jackson.
He served as petty officer first class in the U.S. Navy for 22 years and retired in 1997. He served aboard the USS Pharris, then at various bases on mainland USA. After his retirement from the Navy, he worked for 19 years as a job placement officer at the Michigan Career and Tech Institute. He was devoted to his students and worked hard to ensure their success.
He loved the Tennessee mountains and hoped to spend more time here after retirement. When raising his daughters in Tennessee, he often took them to the Hendon fire tower where they, too, developed a love of the mountains and valley. There was always a sparkle in his eyes when he came home for visits. Kenny loved to entertain everyone with tales of his adventures. One never knew just how tall the tale was or if it was the truth or fiction. His stories and comedic delivery will carry on. Even in his last weeks, he would share stories and tell corny jokes because he sure loved a good corny joke.
He is survived by his wife of over 30 years, Ann Niedzielski; daughters, Brandy (Andy) Sims, Andrea (Mike) Gibbs and Bobbie (James) Carney; grandchildren, Kadie (Danny) Brown, Nickole and Darius Eustice, Michael III and Kenlee Gibbs, Brandon and Gabriel Carney; great-grandparents, Karachi Carney, Elijah and Ester Brown; siblings, Yvonne (Vernie) Steedley, Anthony (Denyce) Potts, Terri (Jim) Agnew, Ellen (John Henry) Breland, Rusty (Margie) Clark; and several nieces and nephews.
A graveside celebration of life is planned for Saturday, September 4 at noon at the Potts Family Cemetery (Suzanne Road, Graysville).
