Columbus, Georgia - Kenya Nicole Ash, 49, of Columbus, passed on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, at Piedmont Midtown Medical Center.

A Funeral Service for Ms. Ash will be conducted at 2:30 p.m., on Sunday, December 1, 2024, at St. James Missionary Baptist Church, 5414 St. James St., Columbus. Rev. Dr. Ralph Huling, host Pastor and Rev. Dr. Henry L. Burnette will deliver the eulogy. Interment will be held in Green Acres Cemetery according to the Charles E. Huff's International Funeral Home. Viewing will be held on Saturday, November 30, 2024, from 2 to 5 p.m., at the funeral home located at 927-5th Ave, Columbus.

Kenya Nicole Ash, affectionately known as "Nikki", was born on September 19, 1975, to Fanthnecia Jones and Melvin J. Hentz in Columbus. She is a 1994 graduate of Columbus High School and was employed with Elevance Health Inc. for 24 years. Kenya is preceded in death by her grandparents, Jimmy Jones, Sarah F. Jones, Melvin Hentz, and Helen Hentz; two uncles, Victor Jones and Leroy Bryant; and one aunt, Renee Hentz.

Precious memories will be cherished by one son, Aubrey Ash; one daughter, Alexis Walker, both of Columbus; mother, Fanthnecia (Darryl) Bufford, Fairburn, GA; father, Melvin J. Hentz, Sr., Columbus; three adopted daughters, Avyiauna Kitko, Janet Williams and Jadyn Williams, all of Columbus; two brothers, Melvin J. Hentz, Jr., Las Vegas, NV and Ross-Michael Hentz, Columbus; one sister, Tonya (Dakota) Harris, Mrytle Beach, SC; two uncles, Min. Reginald (Pamela) Jones and Wayne (Mary) Hentz, both of Columbus; one aunt, Veronica (Joseph) Mouzon, Fayetteville, NC; one extended family member, Derrick (Patrice) Bennett, Columbus; and a host of great aunts, great uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.