Great-grandma Velma passed away on December 20 at the age of 91. Even though she was Steve's grandma, I loved and admired her like she was my own. Velma was cheerful, kind, smart, honest, generous, and super hardworking. She had a heart for service and helping. Most of all she loved Jesus and her family. We named our Hannah Rose after Velma Rose, and as Hannah grows I see a lot of Velma in her. I am so grateful that my daughters are old enough to have memories of their amazing great-grandmother. Velma will be greatly missed.
Velma Rose Ackerman Kerr was born January 19, 1927, in Morton, Illinois. She departed this life December 20, 2019, at Indian Hills – A Stonebridge Community, at the age of 91 years, 11 months, and 1 day.
Velma was the daughter of Christian and Rosa Jacobs Ackerman. She was a graduate of Morton, IL High School and Bradley University in Peoria, IL, with a degree in Social Studies. She returned to college and earned a degree in Education from the University of Missouri. On June 17, 1950, she was united in marriage to Fred W. Kerr at her family home. To this union, 6 children were born. Together Fred and Velma farmed for many years in the Chula Community. He preceded her in death on November 5, 2011.
Velma was a math teacher for 19 years, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, volunteer, gardener, and friend to many. She was a member of the Chillicothe United Methodist Church, but faithfully attended Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church with her son and family. She was a member of the Gideon Auxiliary and the Retired Teachers of Livingston County. She was a past board member of the House of Prayer, where she spent many years volunteering her services. She was awarded the Volunteer of the Year by the RSVP in 1998, Unsung Community Hero in 2001, and Distinguished Teacher Retiree Award in 2015.
Survivors include her son, Thomas and wife Marsha of Chula, MO; daughter, Judith Irene and husband Christopher of St. Louis, MO; son, John of Humble, TX; and son, David and wife Brenda of Chillicothe, MO. She is also survived by grandchildren, Steven Kerr and wife Megan, Susan Ditch and husband Morgan, Charles Kerr and wife Katie, Rebecca Steinhoff and husband Trent, Aaron Kerr, John Phillips, Mark Phillips and wife Afroditi, Johanna Otte and husband Gabriel, Jacob Kerr, Mathew Kerr; great-grandchildren, Ainslyn and Gwendolyn Ditch, Hannah and Olive Kerr, Clara Kerr, Walter Steinhoff, and Vasilla and Pantelimon Kyriacou. She was also preceded in death by her parents, and 2 children, Frank and Linda in 1963.
