Oakland

Noah ‘No’Ach the Designer’ Kendrix, 24

Published

6 years ago

February 20, 2020

Noah Alexander Kendrix, was born on Dec. 17, 1995. He was a long-time resident of Oakland and Hercules, CA. He departed this life on Feb. 6, 2020.

He was baptized and attended Covenant Worship Center in Berkley, where he grew up in the Powerhouse Ministry and performed in the drama ministry.

Kendrix attended Kaiser Elementary School in Oakland. He was a contributing author to a book developed by his fifth-grade class called “Through Our Eyes: Conversations with Kids About Topics That Matter.” One quote from the young Noah reads: “I don’t know much about death. I know that when people die, you do not see them anymore. I am learning in church that, if I live right and go to church, I will see them again.”

Kendrix attended Oakland Technical High School and was a graduate of the class of 2014. While in high school, Noah was a member of the jazz band, the Junior Varsity Football team and drama club (Oak Tech Rep.) where he performed in two plays; “In the Brown and Red Water,” and “American Night: The Ballad of Juan Jose” where he portrayed the character, Orgun.

While at Tech, he was the recipient of the African American Student Achievement and Excellence Award for three consecutive years.

During summer breaks, Noah interned at the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, working on the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge Project. He also participated as a member of BayPeace, a youth-led alternative organization for social justice activism.

Noah had a dream to go away to college. He received many scholarships and was the recipient of the 2014 Paul E. Smith Scholarship from the Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California for academic performance, community involvement and his exemplary personal statement.

Noah attended California Polytechnic University in Pomona, where he studied Visual Communications Design.

He was well-known among the faculty and students of the Art Department.

Noah was scheduled to graduate this year. Noah enjoyed graphic designing and as ‘No’ach the Designer’ created many brilliant designs.

Noah was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Permiller Weathers and paternal uncle Barry Bell.

Kendrix leaves to cherish his memory: His loving and devoted parents Jay and Chandra Kendrix; grandparents John Kendrix, John Montgomery (Elizabeth), Barbara Montgomery; aunts Stephanie Woods (James), Arliss Dunn (Godmother, James) and Danette Montgomery, Lugenia Weathers and Marvellis Weathers: uncles Tommie Bell, Benjamin Bell, Selwyn Montgomery (Godfather, Patricia), David Bell and Cedric Montgomery and Elaine Montgomery; cousins Jordan, Debo, Selwyn Jr., Larry, Jonathan, Justin, Donte, Jermaine, James Jr., Barbara, Latanay, Triniece, Yonda and Permiller and a host of other relatives, friends his community and church family.

A Celebration of Life will be held for him on Saturday Feb. 22, 2020, at the Covenant Worship Center at 2618 San Pablo Ave., in Berkeley at 10:00 a.m.

Saskia Hatvany

Posts by Saskia Hatvany

Bay Area

IN MEMORIAM: Longtime OUSD Employee Debra King-Cooper, 73

Longtime OUSD Employee Debra King-Cooper, 73 Caption: Debra King-Cooper. Courtesy photo. Special to The Post Debra King-Cooper, a beloved mother, grandmother, queen, sister, church member, caregiver, and matriarch, transitioned peacefully on May 20 surrounded by family and love i

Published

2 days ago

June 17, 2026

bpusa-syndication

Debra King-Cooper. Courtesy photo.

Special to The Post

Debra King-Cooper, a beloved mother, grandmother, queen, sister, church member, caregiver, and matriarch, transitioned peacefully on May 20 surrounded by family and love in the comfort of her home. To her children, she was royalty, grace, strength, and unconditional love embodied.

Debra Diane Edgar was born on May 28, 1952, in San Francisco, California, to Charles Edgar Sr. and Mamie Arthur Edgar. She was raised alongside her younger brother, Charles Edgar Jr., affectionately known as “Little Brother” or “Lil Bruh.” She also shared close bonds with her older siblings Carol Edgar-Lang, Maryann Edgar Calloway, and Lonnie Lewis Sr.

A proud product of San Francisco’s historic Fillmore District, Debra attended Andrew Jackson Elementary School, where she met her lifelong best friend and adopted sister, Lynn Green, in the fifth grade. She later attended Robert Louis Stevenson Elementary School, Roosevelt Junior High School and Thomas Jefferson High School.

Debra’s mother transitioned when she was only 17 years old, and her father transitioned when she was 23. Despite these profound losses, Debra remained grounded through the love and support of extended family and lifelong family friends,

In 1971, she married Harold King. On Sept. 24, 1972, they welcomed their first son, Dajuan Artese King, affectionately called “Pop” or “Poppa.” On Aug. 5, 1976, they welcomed their second son, Dante Dupree King, affectionately called “Tay” or “Taboocoo the Baby.”

After her divorce in 1982, Debra assumed full responsibility for raising her sons.

She supported Dajuan’s passion for football by purchasing sports equipment and attending games faithfully. She supported Dante’s love of music by enrolling him in the San Francisco Boys Choir, Oakland Boys Choir, and the Castlemont Castleers.

Professionally, Debra built an exceptional career. She worked at Blue Shield of California from 1973 until 1994, earning multiple promotions.

She later joined the Oakland Unified School District, initially in a temporary role before being promoted into management within the Labor Relations Department. She retired from OUSD in 2015 after years of distinguished service. During her years at OUSD, she built meaningful friendships with her colleagues.

Faith was central to Debra’s life. During the 1980s, following personal hardship, she joined Love Center Church under the leadership of Bishop Walter Hawkins, where she brought her children regularly. She later became a member of Triumphant: A Church Without Walls Ministries under Pastor Dr. Larry Short, who became a beloved spiritual mentor.

After Triumphant closed in 1992, Debra joined Cosmopolitan Baptist Church in Oakland under the leadership of Pastor Larry Ashley, where she remained for the rest of her life.

At Cosmopolitan, she worked in numerous ministries. She served on the usher board, sang in the choir, participated in the AIDS ministry during the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, helped feed and support unhoused community members, and mentored and supported a group of young girls.

After retirement, she cared for older adults in her church community, driving them to appointments, cleaning their homes, managing finances, preparing meals, and helping families navigate funeral arrangements after loved ones transitioned.

Even while battling Stage 4 cancer herself, she continued caring for others.

Debra was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Edgar Sr. and Mamie Arthur Edgar; her brothers, Lonnie Lewis Sr. and Charles Edgar Jr.; her sisters, Maryann Edgar Calloway and Victoria Stephenson Knight; and her adopted mother, Clara Oliver.

She leaves to cherish her memory her beloved sons, Dajuan King and Dante King; grandson, Tiyler Dajuan Artese King; sister, Carol Edgar-Lang; goddaughters Monique Belle and Ricketa Matthews Jones (Leonard); daughter-in-love Quiona Sullivan; son-in-love Marcel Walker; sister-in-law Delores Lewis; adopted sisters and lifelong friends Lynn Green, Barbara Stephenson Hill, and Sarah Fine; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, great-nieces, great-nephews, extended family members, her church family and dear friends.