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Kenyauta Keith

March 8, 2000 ~ June 11, 2023

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Kenyauta Keith, 23, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away Sunday, June 11, 2023, at St. Lukes Hospital. Visitation and funeral services will be private and only open to family members and close friends. Kenyauta was born March 8, 2000, in Rock Island, Illinois, the son of Kenneth and Saresa (Vesey) Keith. Kenyauta, also known as Bubba, was born the second of nine children and the first-born son. He always thought it was an honor that he shared the same birthday as his grandfather, Thomas Vesey Sr. As a child, he enjoyed playing football, basketball, and hanging with his dad and uncles. He shared an extra special bond with his uncle Mark (Gerv) Dowdy. As an adult, Kenyauta enjoyed traveling and spending time with his children and his siblings. He worked as a mechanic, and recently expressed how much he enjoyed being able to work side by side with his father on a daily basis. He loved his family, especially his parents and he took pride in being a big brother and loving father. He looked forward to playing PlayStation games with his younger brothers and spending quality time with his children. Survivors include his parents, Kenneth and Saresa Keith of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; siblings, Kentavia, Kendeyauna, Keniya, Kentaysia, Kenessa, Kenneth Jr., Kendresa, and Kendrell, all last name Keith, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa; children, Kenyauta Jr., Ken'Zayah, Kenylah, Kendrick Keith, Sariah, and Aaliyah; close cousins, Alonte Vesey of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Jacques Vesey of Des Moines, Iowa, Jynette Vesey-Watts of Chicago, Illinois, and Trevor Keith of Chicago, Illinois; godbrother, Jawaun Hayes of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; grandfather, Thomas (Barb) Vesey of Rock Island, Illinois; grandmother, Delores Keith of Chicago, Illinois; grandfather, George Hutcherson of Maplesville, Alabama; special parents, Chuck and Paula Burgmeier of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; godparents, Twon Butler and Joy Moore of Rock Island, Illinois; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, godchildren and close friends. Kenyauta was preceded in death by his grandmother, Loretta Vesey; uncle, Mark Dowdy; grandfather, Clarence Watts; best friend, Aaron Richardson; great-grandparents, Walter and Verdell Adam; great-grandparents, Sydney and Marie Hutcherson; great-grandpa, TJ Vesey; aunt, Angela Vesey; and four great-aunts.

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  1. We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services – Cedar Rapids

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  4. This young man he had a heart of gold he became a very good friend to me it was an honor working with you will I already miss those days you rode my rear ended but it so worth it because we all got some real laughs I’ll never forget you much love

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  6. Kenyauta (my SonSon) I will forever carry you in my heart. Rest on baby you lived a good life and we will take care of your babies and make sure they remember who you are. Momma and Dad loves you.

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  7. “my brother was a legend he in heaven now 💔”

    i’ll never forget the good memories that we once shared. now i’m left with the pain, the long nights, the endless tears and a broken heart. i’ll never understand why you had to leave bubs. i love you forever, until we meet again🤞🏽💙.

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  8. My fat baby, I miss you so much. You had a big piece of my heart. I can remember the day I held you and you didn’t cry as a baby I know then you was going to be my favorite. It hurts so much to know that I’m not going to get another bear hug and you trying to squeeze the life out of me or to hear you say in that deep voice I love you TT my heart is broken a piece of my world is just gone and I can’t get it back I knew it would hurt but I didn’t think it would hurt this much. But I still got all my memories of you and I see your face every time I look at your kids and your little brothers. I love you so much and I miss you so much I love you forever my fat baby. -Yo T.T. Nae-

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  9. We don’t have much photos or videos but we have plenty of memories we grew up from the sandbox play fighting arguing hugging it out afterwards I always looked at you and Thomas like my big little brothers you still are and I know your watching over all of us especially aunty resa and uncle Kenny and your sisters and your seeds we all miss you sooooo much bubbs love you ❤️FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS ❤️❤️‍🩹💙💙💙

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  10. my hearts aches for everyday that goes past, i never knew i could i miss a person so much, but your not jus a person, your my older brother, the person who taught me a lot of things, the person who protected all of your siblings no matter what, and my sibling ❤️, my hearts aches for you everyday, you never deserved this, i sometimes just sit and wish this was dream because i wish you were still hear so we could hear your voice, your laugh, you could get on our nerves and we could get on yours, and you could jus hug us ☹️, i love you so much my big brother 🩵, you will always have a special place in my heart and you will always be missed 🤞🏽. Forever Bubba 🫶🏽. When you found out i knew how to edit you was over happy talm bout “make me a edit” “you probably can’t even edit frl” then you texted me talking ab make me a edit when i made it you talking about “okay you can edit or whatever” 🤣 you was so funny i promise you, ima miss yo corny jokes and everything 🫶🏽😔.

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  11. Kenyaunta I miss you everyday I think this is definitely one of the hardest things I’ve had to go through some days are better than others but there’s never a day I’m not thinking about you. All we have now is memories and I watch the same videos and look at the same pictures just to hear your voice, your laugh to see your smile and see you do the same dance over and over I pray
    One day this pain gets easier but I just never imagined life without you and how I want to be grateful that I got as much time as I did with you some days I still find myself questioning why we couldn’t have longer or the opportunity to truly tell each other goodbye. No matter what we went thru I knew if I called you was coming and vice versa I love you now and forever and I’ll forever make sure your nieces know who you are keep watching over us kenyauta

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  12. One of the memories I’ll always remember is when Bubba drove my Uncle’s Cadillac into the fence. When it was time for him to learn how to drive and get his license, he wanted to test drive in my car. I made him drive with two hands on the wheel the entire time and we’d brake whenever there was a fence close. He actually did really good and we had a great time. Love you always little cousin

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  13. Lost My Cousin It’s Not Okay , Lost My Brother It’s Not Okay , Miss My Dawg I’m Not Okay🥹Words Can’t Explain How Much I Miss You😔Still Dont Feel Real You Broke My Heart Forever 💔All We Got Is Memories Your Name Gone Stay Alive 🫶🏽We Love And Miss You So Much Bubba💔 ~Nette

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  14. To my brother I wish I didn’t take ur hugs for granted. That big smile every time we see each other .
    Idc what others think they knew about u. I’ve seen ur growth n the love u had for ur family. Until we meet again .

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  15. Before my mom had any boys you were my 1st brother to know you was to love you a gentle giant at heart although I am heartbroken to say the least we have memories to last a lifetime my love and loyalty is yours forever watch over I got us from here your big sister love -big head 💛

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  16. Nephew: It’s so hard for me to share these feelings. My heart is broken. I catch myself crying like you was my child. I watched you grow up from a little sumo wrestler to a handsome young man. It don’t feel real that you not here, that I won’t hear you yell TT. with a big smile on your face, I won’t receive another hug, hear you say I love you. That our conversations had to come to an end. I wish I could hug you just one more time and see that smile. It doesn’t feel fair but I know God don’t make no mistakes. I’m thankful for the time that we shared, for having the opportunity to know you; the real you, and that our relationship was our relationship. I Love and miss you so much Nephew.

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  17. One of my freshest memories of Bubba is when I attempted to cut the church grass and did a hit and miss job. Bubba came and teased me about letting the professionals do it from now on and he began to cut it on one of the hottest days that summer! You will be missed Bubba!!!

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  18. My Beloved Nephew
    The family chain is broken now nothing seems
    the same. My first nephew of all the many blessings to have. You were the greatest one of all
    nephew. I love ❤️ you, I miss you. I cry often I can still hear you saying Tee Tee Shell with those fat jaws and that handsome delicate face of yours with that big grape fruit smile. My heart is so broken you were more than a nephew you were my other son. Trevor’s right hand man. I don’t know why you had to leave me so soon. I thank God for 23 years. I know they say time will heal but it doesn’t change how I feel. My heart is broken in two💔, there will never be another like you. BUBBA
    B- A Blessing
    U- Unstoppable
    B- My Big Baby
    B- Brave
    A- So Adoring
    I Love You Endlessly
    Until We Meet Again
    Rest Easy
    Love Your
    Tee Tee Michele

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