Velma Thompson Kerr

Velma T. Kerr, loving daughter, sister, wife, aunt, and grandmother, passed away December 23, 2024, after a short illness. Velma was the daughter of Willie Mitchell and Ruby Thompson of Tatnall County, GA and was born on January 21, 1935.

From a close and loving family, as a child Velma helped work on her family’s farm and saved her lunch money for the fabric to sew her own clothes. She graduated from Glennville High School in 1953. That same year she married her high school sweetheart, Paul “Jack” Kerr, of Glennville, who was finishing his degree in education.

Velma and Jack planned on becoming schoolteachers, but this changed after the death of their first daughter, Ava, in infancy. Jack enlisted in the U.S. Army while Velma attended Armstrong State College in Savannah, Ga. In 1960, Velma gave birth to a son, Micah Steven, and in 1962, she gave birth to Angela “Angel” Darlene, rerouting her life plans.

Velma and family lived in Germany and throughout the U.S., settling for a time in Venice FL as Jack served two tours in Vietnam. For several years, Velma was a stay at home mom and was well known as an exceptional mother and cook. She loved sewing, handicrafts, and her family. In Kentucky, Velma attended beauty school and became a Master Esthetician, teaching beauty school.

Upon the end of military life, the family moved to Hinesville, Ga., and worked in the family retail business they owned. In 2002, Velma and Jack’s only grandchild arrived, Akimi Jordan, the child of son Micah and daughter-in-law Yoko. It was a cherished time.

Velma was thoughtful of others and a had kind and loving heart. She will be missed by those who knew her. Waiting on her in heaven are her infant daughter, Ava Paulette, a sister, Elease, her son, Micah Steven, and her partner through better or worse for over 70 years, Jack.

She leaves behind two sisters, Virginia and Hilda, a daughter and son-in-law, Angel and C.J., a daughter-in-law Yoko, a granddaughter, Akimi, and many well-loved nieces and one nephew.

A private service was held on December 27, 2024, at Glennville City Cemetery. Pastor Tony Caldwell presided, mentioning how Velma was our Elisha, Elijah’s beloved friend, who shared a portion of himself with others in order to lighten their journey. It was an apt analogy for Velma.

Funeral services were provided by Carter Funeral Home in Hinesville, Ga.