Malcolm Kent
July 30, 2005 - January 28, 2023
Thank you Lord for giving Malcolm a family that loved him fully, a family that he truly loved. For his many life experiences that allowed us to know him and our hearts to be blessed by him. Thank you Lord for blessing us with the life of MALCOLM ISAIAH KENT.
On July 30, 2005, Absolon and Thurraya Kent were blessed by the birth of their eldest child, Malcolm Isaiah Kent. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, Malcolm appreciated the outdoors from an early age. He loved long walks and talks with his YaYa, fishing with his grandfather, camping with his church family, water sports with his Nana Marci and Uncle Frank, and playing lacrosse with his teammates. His outgoing personality and intense ability to love were surpassed only by his amazing hugs.
His legacy far exceeds his 17 years on this earth. He was the inspiration for United States Senate Bill 487, which amended Title 10 of the United States Code in 2005, to grant military members paid leave when they are adopting children. Malcolm was also an inspiration for improved military behavioral health care services for youth in the National Capital Region, a fight the family will continue.
Malcolm saw structures and patterns that most of us did not see. As a graduating high school senior, he planned to attend a trade school and combine his trade and entrepreneurial spirit with his own real estate business. The family is comforted by his last family prayer to his Heavenly Father and his final words of love for his Earthly family.
Left to celebrate his memory are his loving parents, Absolon and Thurraya; his brother Matthias; grandmother Marian V. "YaYa" Barnwell; grandfather Dr. Bernard Kent, Jr.; aunts and uncle, Dr. Berneta and Winston Churchill, Schenterial Kent and Sharnda Kent; Godparents Frank and Marci Yurkovich and AaBram and Letitia Marsh; and special family friends Anthony and Davine Irving. He is also cherished by his birth family, the Cummings; and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandmother Patricia Kent.
Live steam video, originally broadcast on February 4, 2023,
provided by
Capital Baptist Church.
A special video created by
Aja Woods
for the Celebration of Life program.
A special video created by Allen Boichot following the
Celebration of Life program.
Senior photos from Falls Church High School and Quander Road School.
Photos of the memorial maple tree grove planted at Highland Retreat, a campground located in Bergton, Virginia.
During the graduation ceremony at Quander Road School, a memorial bench was dedicated to Malcolm's memory.
Special presentations to the family.
Malcolm was the inspiration for United States Senate Bill 487, which amended Title 10 of the United States Code in 2005. Introduced March 1, 2005 by Sen. Ben Nelson [D-NE], the bill entitles a member of the United States Armed Forces who is adopting a child in a qualifying child adoption to receive 21 days of leave, to be used in connection with the adoption.
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On March 21, 2025, Virginia's Governor Glenn Youngkin signed HB2742, known as "Malcolm's Law", which requires urine drug screening for hospitals with emergency departments to assist in diagnosing a patients condition, to include testing for fentanyl.
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Malcolm was an exceptional young man who made an impact.
"I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord." (I Samuel 1: 27-28 NIV)
We, the family, would like to express our sincere gratitude and thanks to our family and friends who have prayed with us, mourned with us and extended comfort to us during this most difficult time. We know that God moves in ways we don't always understand, but we are encouraged because of people like you who care for and love us. We pray that God will continue to shower His richest blessings upon all of you for the many acts of kindness and condolences you have extended to us.