Patricia A. Kennard

Patricia Ann Kennard, award-winning Northeastern Ohio broadcast journalist and longtime educator who taught at University of Akron and Akron Public Schools, died of cancer on Oct. 17, 2026, in Akron at age 77.

While working as a part-time news reporter in the late 1970s at the radio station WHBC, based in Canton, Ohio, Kennard was recruited and hired by WAKR-TV 23 in Akron to fill a TV news reporter position in 1980. Her work with the station launched her TV and radio career that spanned more than two decades.

Kennard was recognized in 2007 as Best News Anchor in the State of Ohio by the Ohio Associated Press, in 2004 for Best Enterprise Reporting by the Ohio AP and in 2001 for Ohio Excellence in Journalism by the Cleveland Press Club. She also was inducted into the Broadcasters Hall of Fame. She was honored by the Juneites of Canton in 1999 for her work in radio broadcasting, among other accolades.

While at WAKR, Kennard volunteered as a co-host for the Children’s Miracle Network Telethon from its 1986 start until 2007 for Akron Children’s Hospital. Highly active in the community, she read to the blind and emceed many charity events. She also was a pledge drive pitch person for many years with PBS Channels 45/49.

Born in 1949 to John and Velva Lee (Whiting) Byrd in Canton, Ohio, the 1967 McKinley High School graduate earned a bachelor’s degree in education, with an emphasis in sociology, from Central State University in 1974 in Wilberforce, Ohio. While there, Kennard pledged Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.

Her first job post-college was as a substitute middle schoolteacher, focused on language arts. Kennard later was recruited by the Canton Urban League to become its education specialist. During her five-year tenure there, she spearheaded a focus on underserved students, young women and preteen girls, including The ABC Program, Black College Club, and the Big Sister Little Sister mentoring program. She also sat on several boards and committees, including for the YWCA and Pathway House.

After being hired in 1976 and while working part time for four years at Canton’s flagship radio station WHBC, she honed her news presentation and public speaking skills.

Kennard married Dino Mose Kennard in 1977 and had her daughter Maya the next year. The couple separated years later in 1990 and divorced in 1991.

In 1987, Kennard joined the House of the Lord in Akron, Ohio, and attended church there until her death. She served in several ministries, including as a singer in the Adult (Kingdom) Choir for over 10 years.

She sang with the Akron-based Gospel Meets Symphony for 22 consecutive seasons. In 2011, she performed in the Akron Symphony’s production of George Gershwin’s 1935 opera “Porgy and Bess” with an international cast. It was a proverbial dream come true for her. Pat also taught piano to children and adults.

Kennard continued to work in communication and education roles after leaving WAKR. In the early 2000s, she was an adjunct instructor in news writing for print and broadcast media at the University of Akron. In the mid-2000s, she worked at the Ohio Department of Transportation as a public information officer. In 2008, she returned to education as a substitute teacher with Akron Public Schools.

Preceded in death by mother, Velva Lee (Whiting) Williams; father, John Byrd; sister, Carolyn Byrd, and grandmother, Mary Delia (Ishman/Bryant) Randle.

Pat is survived by daughter, Maya (Kennard) Williams; son-in-law, Quatric Williams; granddaughter, Abeni Williams-Turner; brother, Jonathan Byrd; sister, Valerie (Byrd) Enlow; niece, Dyamond (Enlow) Pittman; nephew, Scott Pittman; grandnephew, Aiden Pittman and grandniece, Aria Pittman.

A celebration of Kennard’s life will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 28, with visitation at 10 a.m. and funeral service at 11 a.m. at the House of the Lord, 1650 Diagonal Road, in Akron, Ohio. Donations can be made in her memory to Akron Zoo and Haven of Rest Ministries in Akron.