Kenneth Ray Speer

Kenneth Ray “Kenny” Speer entered into eternal rest with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on the morning of January 27, 2026, at approximately 10:15 a.m., following a gradual decline in health over the past three months.

Kenny was born in Bamberg, South Carolina, to Lindell Woodrow “Bob” Speer, a long-distance truck driver, and Ruby Ion Grooms Speer. He was the eldest of three children, growing up alongside his sister, Linda Jean Speer, and his younger brother, Bobby Lindell Speer. From an early age, Kenny showed a deep love for music. At just six years old, he sang on the radio with his grandmother, Gertrude Proveaux Grooms. As a young boy, he developed a lifelong admiration for Elvis Presley and dreamed of becoming a professional singer in Nashville.

Kenny attended Brookland-Cayce High School in Cayce, South Carolina, and entered the United States Navy during his senior year as a member of the Class of 1963. While serving his country, he sang with the Navy’s Blue Jacket Choir. After his military service, Kenny lived in California, where he completed two years of technical school.

While in California, Kenny met Cynthia Rosett “Cindy” Zubillaga, and they were married on December 29, 1966. Together they had two sons, Kevin Ray Speer and Kenneth Robert Speer. The marriage later ended in divorce on September 14, 1999. Kenny eventually returned to West Columbia, South Carolina, where he reunited with his high school sweetheart, Brenda Lee Drafts Blalock, who had two sons, Denny Everette Blalock and Kevin Lee Blalock. Kenny and Brenda were married on May 25, 2002, beginning a devoted partnership that would last more than two decades.

Following in the footsteps of his father, who was a prominent Mason in West Columbia, Kenny became a member of the West Columbia Masonic Lodge and later attained the 22nd Degree. Kenny and Brenda worked together for many years as a long-distance trucking team. After Kenny’s retirement, Brenda worked in several positions before finding fulfillment in the Anatomic Pathology department at Lexington Medical Center.

Throughout his adult life, Kenny remained deeply devoted to music. He became a well-known gospel and country singer throughout the Midlands of South Carolina. For several years, Kenny and Brenda were members of Chapin United Methodist Church, where Kenny frequently sang solos with the choir. He also performed at numerous political events across South Carolina and sang with the local group Amick Junction. Recordings of his music can still be enjoyed online.

In keeping with his wishes, Kenny did not want a funeral service or visitation. He was cremated, and his ashes remain with his wife, Brenda.