Barbara B. Kerr

Barbara B. Kerr, 90, was born in Michigan to the late Serena and Lincoln Brown and into a family who loved reading, crossword puzzles, bridge, and having fun. She spent her childhood in Ohio before moving to South Carolina to marry Hamilton (Ham) Westlake Kerr, Sr. They had three children; Becky, Westy, and Johnny. She would have loved to have had a career but, as was the custom of the day, stayed at home to care for her children. She made most of her daughter’s clothes, attended all her sons’ sports events, and was devoted to her husband. They both loved to dance and dine out, and she loved to play bridge. She enjoyed volunteer work which mostly involved her church, Trenholm Road United Methodist, her childrens’ schools, and the Columbia Reading Foundation. Later, when her children were older, she had a series of part-time jobs that she loved at Gibson’s, the Jewish Community Center, the Columbia Reading Foundation, and The State Museum Foundation. After her husband died, Barbara moved to Wildewood Downs, where she could finally play bridge as often as she liked. She made new friends and joined dinner groups that kept her entertained and engaged. It was important for her to keep up with the world. She read constantly and continued her daily crossword puzzle. She even learned to use an iPad and Kindle at 88 when her vision failed her. When she talked about dying, the one thing she regretted was not seeing her granddaughter finish graduate school. She was very proud of her. Our family would like to thank Dr. Jeff Hook, Dr. David Isbell, and Dr. Jack Wells, all outstanding doctors, who made it possible for her to live a good life until just before her death on March 16, 2018. She is survived by her three children; her daughter-in-law, Angie; and her granddaughter, Taylor; as well as nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband; her sister, Marianna Foster; and her brothers, William and Edwin Brown. A memorial service for Mrs. Kerr will be held on Wednesday, March 21st at 2 o’clock in the Wildewood Downs dining room, 731 Polo Road. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family. The family is asking that those attending wear bright clothing in honor of Barbara’s love of colorful clothes. Memorials may be made to Sistercare, PO Box 1029, Columbia, SC 29202.

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Barbara B. Kerr

July 22, 1927 - March 16, 2018