FAYETTE — Services for the Rev. Dr. John Kennedy Colenberg Sr., 49, of Fayette, who died Monday, April 26, 2010, at Natchez Regional Medical Center, were noon Saturday, May 1, 2010, at Hollywood Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. George W. Tyler officiating.

Burial followed at Rose Hill No. 1 Baptist Church in Fayette under the direction of Spencer Funeral Home in Fayette.

Rev. Colenberg was born Nov. 16, 1960, in Fayette, the son of Shirley Mae C. H. Felton and I.P. Hall. Rev. Colenberg’s immediate family consisted of nine brothers and four sisters.

He was a strong, yet lighthearted man that recognized his musical gifts at an early age. He grew up singing in his family’s church choir and was a proud member of the Jefferson County High School marching band. After graduating from high school, he attended Alcorn State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in music education. Shortly after completing his initial undergraduate degree, Rev. Colenberg married Brenda Queen of Fayette and to this union was added three sons and two daughters. Recognizing that his life had greater purpose, Rev. Colenberg accepted his call into the ministry in 1982 and moved to Atlanta where he attended the Interdenominational Theological Center.

After completing his studies in Atlanta, Rev. Colenberg was ordained as a United Methodist preacher and was relocated to Meridian to pastor Haven Chapel United Methodist Church. While in Meridian, he also began his music education career as the head band director at Carver Middle School and shortly after he assumed the position as head band director at Clarksdale High School. After more than 20 years of traveling across southeast region of the United States, Rev. Colenberg decided he wanted to come back to where it all started; so when the opportunity to become the head band director at Jefferson County High School came available, he actively pursued the position.

While back home in Jefferson County, Rev. Colenberg felt that another change was needed in his life. So, with the assistance of his brother, the Rev. Anthony Colenberg, and friend, the Rev. Dr. George W. Tyler, Rev. Colenberg converted from United Methodist to the African Methodist Episcopal Church. After coming full circle, Rev. Colenberg reconnected with a former high school friend, Brenda Harris, and in December 2009, he asked for her hand in marriage. Rev. Colenberg was scheduled to be married June 5, 2010.

He was preceded in death by one son, Derrick Colenberg; his parents; one sister, Sharron Ann Colenberg; stepfather, James Felton Jr.; and grandparents, Lee and Bertha Colenberg.

Survivors include three sons, Kelvin Colenberg of Meridian, Kenneth Malone Sr. of Detroit and John T. Colenberg of Lucedale; two daughters, Jessica Colenberg and Sharon D. Colenberg, both of Fayette; nine brothers, Isaac Harris of Fort Knox, Ky., Anthony C. Colenberg, Isaac P. Colenberg, Elvis E. Colenberg Sr., Shelby D. Hall Sr., Gary W. Hall, James L. Hall, Darren Colenberg Sr., and Lee Andrew Felton, all of Fayette; four sisters, Betty King, Veronica J. Stampley and Vera Hall, all of Fayette, and Vanessa H. Johnson of Lorman; one uncle, John L. Colenberg of New Orleans; six granddaughters; and seven grandsons.

Pallbearers were the Rev. E.E. Colenberg Sr., the Rev. A.C. Colenberg, Darren Colenberg Sr., Gary Hall, Shelby Hall Sr., Isaac Colenberg Sr., Lee Andrew Felton, Isaac Harris, John L. Colenberg and John T. Colenberg.