Luther Martin Kindall
Nashvillians and mainly Pearl High School graduates will remember Luther Martin Kindall, second-born child and first-born son of Bruce and Lucy T. Kindall.
Luther departed this life on March 5, 2017, in Knoxville, Tenn.
Luther, his parents, older sister Bruceil, and younger brother Edward, were a tightly woven family. They resided in the family home on their beloved Jefferson Street in Nashville.
As a native of Nashville, Luther attended the Nashville public schools. He graduated from Pearl High School and later from Tennessee State University with a B.S. degree in Psychology. Because of his drive to excel in college, he finished with the highest academic average in his graduating class. He was consequently named ‘Mr. Brains’ in his senior class, and awarded the W.J. Hale Memorial Scholarship to pursue his master’s degree.
After earning his master’s at TSU, Luther taught in the Psychology Dept. for two years. As his drive for education never left him, he later was awarded the Southern Fellowship Scholarship to pursue his doctorate in educational psychology. In Knoxville, he ultimately received his doctorate from the University of Tennessee.
It was then that Luther began a teaching career at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where he remained for over 28 years. He was also an instructor at Roane State College, Brushy Mountain Prison.
Luther will be forever missed and loved by all who cherished his memory. His parents, Bruce and Lucy Kindall of Nashville, preceded him in death. Luther is survived by his loving wife, Alpha; daughter, Kimberley Kindall-Flores, Marietta, Ga; former son-in-law, David Flores, Atlanta, Ga; daughter, Katrina (Jimmy) Winston, Acworth, Ga; sons, Terrance and Michael Kindall; sister, Bruceil Mays, Indianapolis, Ind; brother, Edward (Beverly) Kindall, Nashville; aunt, Mildred Floyd, Smyrna, Tenn.; uncle, Randolph Moore, Smyrna; nieces, Carolene (Fred) Medley, Indianapolis; Marjorie Kindall (Tim), Nashville; Belinda (Jamie) Williams; nephew, Theodore (Nicole) Mays, Flint, Mich.; and a host of grandchildren, relatives, and friends.
Family and friends celebrate the memory of Luther Kindall, M., Ph.D.
Luther Kindall resided in Knoxville, Tenn. for many years. Funeral services were held at Mount Olive Baptist Church, Rev. Jesse Williams, presiding; with Rev. A.D. Baxter, eulogist. Interment was at Sherwood Memorial Gardens with arrangements by Jarnigan & Son Mortuary.
A Celebration of Remembrance Memorial Service will be held on Sat., March 18, at Jefferson Street Missionary Baptist Church, Jefferson St., Nashville, Tenn. Visitation with family will be held from 11-11:45 am. The Remembrance Memorial Service will follow immediately following the visitation.
On February 17, 2017, in the presence of God and his sister, brother, and niece, Luther reaffirmed his belief in God and professed his renewed faith in a Higher Power. He seemed content in accepting his declining health and looked forward, without fear, to what lay ahead. In 2015, Luther and his wife Alpha celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary. Their blissful union produced two wonderful daughters, Kimberley and Katrina, and three beautiful grandchildren, Kendall, Jaimie, and Kandis. He particularly enjoyed traveling extensively across country, accompanied by his familial entourage. To bid adieu to Luther Martin Kindall is not an easy undertaking because he was not just a single entity but a complex study of personalities, complex at times, but ultimately and always captivating. Depending on the day or hour, he could become the intellectual giant spurring forth Piaget ideals; the Que-Dog leading his brothers in a spirited hop, which always brought down the house; a 3 am. sounding board with Edward as they unraveled the mysteries of space and politics; the debater who, at other odd hours, vigorously confronted ultra-conservative radio talk show hosts on local, state, or national issues, or just the doting father and grandfather who proudly boasted of any new accomplishments of his children and grand children.
Because of his unique, multifaceted character, Luther will be forever missed and loved by all who cherished his memory.
The family says, “Thank you for your devotion to ‘keeping the legacy alive’”—and to help keep the legacy alive, the family is asking in lieu of flowers that contributions be made to the Pearl High School Heritage Classes Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 332032, Nashville, Tennessee, 37203.
