Regina L.C. Kinnard

Regina Linden Compton Kinnard transitioned from this phase of her existence on August 16, 2021 following a lengthy illness.  She was born on January 13, 1944 at Freedmen’s Hospital in Washington, DC to Mary Elizabeth and Clarence Linden Compton. She was welcomed by her two older siblings, Johnetta and Reginald Garner in Warrenton, Virginia, where they lived with their grandparents. At a young age, she attended Sunday School at First Baptist Church where she was baptized by Reverend Robert M. Pugh. She attended Bible classes and participated in plays for special occasions, learned hymns, and recited poems — all part of her early Christian Education experience.

Regina attended elementary school at Rosenwald Elementary School in Warrenton from first through 7th grade.  In 8th grade, she attended William C. Taylor High School where she was recognized as an outstanding member of the cheerleading squad.  During her teen years, she moved back to Washington, DC to be with her mother and to be near her older siblings who had begun college.  She completed junior high school at McFarland and entered Burdick Senior High where she graduated in 1962. 

During her senior year in high school, Regina met a tall, handsome gentleman from Franklin, Tennessee, Matthew Anderson Kinnard, who was completing his military obligation at Walter Reed Army Medical Facility and was a graduate of Tennessee State University for both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.  He immediately swept Regina off her feet and after a whirlwind, six-month courtship, they married on November 17, 1962.  From this union, two amazing daughters were born, Mary Elizabeth (Meme) in 1966 and Lisa Michelle in 1970. In the meantime, Matthew received a coveted Post-Doctoral NIH fellowship to study for a Ph.D. program in Neurophysiology at Georgetown University, and Regina worked as a civil servant.

Regina’s secret ambition was to be a dancer. While attending parties in middle and high school and during the early years of marriage, she was regularly sought out as a dance partner because she was easily the best dancer attending the particular event.

Shortly after Lisa was born, Regina became a stay-at-home Mom.  She dressed the girls and herself in cute, matching outfits that she crafted by hand, and they enjoyed life.  They enjoyed summer vacations always near the water, attended Kinnard Family Reunions, and hosted the entire family for Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. 

Subsequently, in 1972, she decided to continue her education and enrolled at the District of Columbia Teachers College for a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. She graduated in 1976, with a Bachelor of Science degree, cum laude.

Next, Regina pursued her graduate education by completing the Master of Science degree in Human Development with an emphasis on child and adolescent development and family relations at Howard University.  She studied under the mentorship of Professor O. Jackson Cole, Jr., Ph.D., who directed her thesis research and writing.  Her Master’s Thesis is entitled “An Attitudinal Examination of Post-Separated, Post-Divorced, Single-Parent Females.”  She defended the work with distinction. While in the program, she served as both a teaching and research assistant.  She received a paid internship as a public health analyst at the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. She also served as a research assistant at the Howard University Center for the Study of Handicapped Children and Youth. She gave a number of professional presentations and authored several publications. She had affiliations with several professional groups, societies, and organizations.  Most prominently, she was selected for membership in Omicron Nu National Honor Society and the National Association of State Directors for Migrant Education.  Always being a community servant, Regina served as an informal mentor of many, many young adults.

After graduation, she served at the U. S. Department of Education as a subject matter expert providing technical advice to colleagues, superintendents of schools, principals, coordinators of early childhood education and teachers of young children.  She traveled widely in carrying out her duties.  She directed Even Start and served as Senior Project Manager for the following programs: Migrant Education Programs, Magnet Schools Programs, Title IV Desegregation of Public Education Programs, and the Eisenhower Mathematics and Science Program. Regina served as a faculty member at Trinity University of Washington and Prince Georges Community College where she taught courses in early education and development and supervised student teachers.  She retired from Federal service in 1997 and fully intended to engage in extensive international travel along with Matt. Before she became ill, they traveled to Greece and toured the ancient cities and sites. They also traveled to Los Vegas, Hawaii and several Caribbean Islands.

A most wonderful faith experience was enjoyed by the entire Kinnard family when they fellowshipped with the Mt. Sinai Baptist Church under the brilliant leadership of Pastor David Durham. Regina taught Sunday School, tutored young people with Lisa, and served as a speaker for Women’s Day. Regina and the family made many valued lifetime friendships there. The years at Mt. Sinai were most gratifying and spirit-filled.

And so it was, on Monday afternoon, August 16, 2021, Regina’s valiant battle with cancer ended and she joined the ancestors. She was surrounded by her family and loved ones. Now she resides in a better place in perfect peace.  She was an elegant, stylish woman who was devoted to her loving husband, Matt; her adored daughters and sons-in-love, Meme and Glenn, Lisa and Moses; her cherished grandson, Gabriel; her loving sister, Johnetta; her sweet cousin, Robbie; her sisters-in-love, Katie, Martha, Sophia and Anna; her brother-in love, Houston; a host of nieces and nephews, and her darling goddaughter, Sharon. We all mourn her passing and she will be deeply missed.

Take your well-earned rest, sweet Regina.

Her service was held at Plymouth Congressional United Church of Christ, Washington, DC on August 27, 2021, and she was inurned at Rock Creek Church Cemetery.

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