Kenneth Burvin McDuffie

Kenneth Burvin McDuffie Sr., 83, a resident of Robertsdale, Alabama, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on July 30, 2025. Born on February 10, 1942, in Foley, Alabama, he was preceded in death by his loving wife, Ann Marie (Crane) McDuffie, to whom he was married for 63 years. He was the son of Burvin Boykin and Verna Mae (Doggett) McDuffie and the brother of Charles James McDuffie, John Allen McDuffie III, Daniel Boykin McDuffie, Shirley Ann (McDuffie) Childress, Barbara (McDuffie) Franklin, and Rita (McDuffie) Wheeler who preceded him in death. He is survived by his brother Harry Ned McDuffie and his wife Marty, and sister Pamela (McDuffie) Ryals Bozeman and her husband Royce. He is also survived by his three loving children, son Kenneth Burvin McDuffie, Jr. and his wife Shumaine, daughter Melanie (McDuffie) Alford and her husband Mark, and son Steven Elijah McDuffie and his wife Cindy. His seven loving grandchildren are Kristopher McDuffie and wife Brandy, Amanda Philibert and husband Ethan, Cierra Sims and husband Travis, Austin McDuffie and wife Maddie, Ansley Alford, MaKensey Alford, and Eli (Elijah) McDuffie. His five loving great grandchildren are Annaleigh Finney, Greyson Philibert, Hayes McDuffie, John Clark Sims, and Jaxon Philibert. Kenneth Burvin McDuffie Sr. is also survived by many other family and friends. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, caring for the needs of his family and proud of them all. He worked various jobs as a youth and teen in Baldwin County, the first of which was working on a gladiola farm when he was only 6 years old. In his late teens he moved to Mobile County (Mobile/Crichton) where he worked various jobs such as auto mechanic, operating a Sinclair gas station, and as a foreman at Bender Shipyard. He later worked for the L&N, Seaboard Coast Line, and Chessie System railroads for twenty plus years before retiring from the CSX Corporation. In parallel with his railroad career, he owned and operated “Duff’s Automotive”, a very successful auto repair business in Bayou La Batre from 1981 to 1984. He was a lifelong automobile and racing enthusiast, forever in love with the small block Chevrolet. He built and drove a highly competitive drag race car in the 1960’s. His beautiful and beloved “10 second” 1941 Willys Coupe was aptly named the “Flying Irishman”. He also successfully built and fielded NASCAR late model asphalt stockcars throughout the 1970’s and early 1980’s. In 1971 he moved from Crichton to rural Mobile County (Dawes) where he built a home and small 5-acre farm. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing with a particular love for “floundering”. In the 1990s and beyond he moved back to Baldwin County to hone in and concentrate on his lifelong passion for gardening, farming, and managing his land (90 acres) and livestock (cattle/sheep). He was a lifelong fan of the Alabama Crimson Tide football team. He was an active member at Meadowlake Baptist Church, 1st Baptist Church of Dawes, and Hamilton Baptist Church throughout his life and went to church until he was no longer able to attend. Pallbearers are Kristopher McDuffie, Austin McDuffie, Eli McDuffie, Travis Sims, Ethan Philibert and Timothy Ryals. Honorary Pallbearers are Harry Ned McDuffie, Kenneth B. McDuffie, Jr., Steven Elijah McDuffie, Mark Alford, Paul Beeson, and John Henry Jones. Visitation on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, from 5-7 pm at Serenity Funeral Home. Visitation also on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 10:00 am. Funeral services on August 7, 2025, at 11 am Serenity Funeral Home 8691 Old Pascagoula Rd, Theodore, AL 36582. Graveside service to follow.

Tributes

Kenneth Burvin McDuffie

February 10, 1942 - July 30, 2025