WEST JEFFERSON, NC – Kenneth Elbert Glover, age 76, died May 31, 2016, after a short illness.

Born Oct. 28, 1939 in Sampson County, NC, Ken was the eldest of four children of Elbert and Annie Winstead Glover and grew up on their farm. He graduated from Mingo High School in 1957 and from Wake Forest College in 1961. There he met a smart farm girl from Como, NC, and persuaded her to marry him.

Ken’s varied career started in the ministry. He attended Southeastern Seminary and served Menokin Baptist Church in Warsaw, VA, from 1964 to 1968. His expert listening and counseling skills stemmed from his deep fascination with people and the world in general. From there he was led to a second career in human services, becoming licensed for marriage and family counseling. He worked for over two decades with Telamon Corporation, initially as a counselor for families of migrants and seasonal farmworkers in Rich Square, NC, and later as the testing and training coordinator in Telamon’s headquarters in Raleigh, NC.

After retiring from Telamon, Ken started his own counseling and consulting business, called Glover Synergy. He joined Wake County Resources for Seniors and answered their helpline, where he was able to put to use expertise he gained caring for his parents and in-laws over the years. After retiring to West Jefferson, he began volunteering at the local senior center where he taught people new skills in the computer lab every Tuesday. In April 2016, Ken was honored with the Ashe County Senior Volunteer of the Year award.

Ken is fondly remembered for his pervasive kindness, sage career advice, and a knack for always finding something to appreciate in every person and situation. He was an expert do-it-yourselfer, an early adopter of technology, a gardener, and the family photographer.

Ken is survived by his wife of 53 years, Lucinda Howell Glover; two daughters, Sarah Glover and husband David Rawlins of Greensboro, and Helen Glover Moses and husband James Moses of Raleigh; along with three grandchildren, Jay and Mary Moses, and Emma Rawlins; two sisters, Dwanda Glover Wright of Spring, TX; and Kim Glover West of Reno, NV; 16 nieces and nephews and 18 grand-nieces and nephews. Ken was pre-deceased by his brother, Calvin Glover of Pensacola, Florida.

A memorial service will be held in Sunday, June 5, 2016, 2:30 pm, at Boone Family Funeral Home in West Jefferson, NC. The family will receive friends after the service.

Because Ken and Lucinda have built deep connections all over the state, a memorial reception is also being planned in Raleigh at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, as well as a graveside service at Buckhorn Baptist Church in Como, NC. Details at http://boonefuneralhome.com/.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Ashe Services for Aging, 180 Chattyrob Lane, West Jefferson, NC 28694, or to the charity of your choice.