Frances Curry Kerr

Frances Curry Kerr (94) passed away at Matthews Glen (formerly Plantation Estates), on February 23, 2023, after a long and fruitful life. She was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the daughter of Frank W. and Geneva Schurman Curry of Medford, Massachusetts. She graduated from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine in 1950 with a degree in Sociology and was inducted into the Bates Key for “outstanding academic performance, extracurricular pursuits, and strength of character.” After college, she worked for five years as a Field Director for the Girl Scout Council of Greater Lynn. Thirty years later she earned a Master’s Degree in Counseling from UNCC. In 1952 she married George Kerr in Medford and they resided in Lynnfield, Massachusetts until 1957 when George was transferred to Charlotte by Ryerson Steel Company. Fran and George joined Myers Park Baptist Church and found their second family. Fran served as a deacon, chair of a women’s circle, and Chair of the Board of Missions. From 1994 to 2002, she led the church on its journey to become a welcoming and affirming congregation. Social justice was important to her and she advocated for many issues including school integration, LGBT inclusion, and children’s protection. During her lifetime, she enjoyed being a mother, camping, traveling, photography, genealogy, and quilt-making. In Charlotte, she worked at Family and Children’s Service, the Center for Human Development, Chantilly School, and CPCC. In 2002, she and George moved to Matthews Glen, a retirement community, where she served as a floor representative, a member of the Activities Committee, and encouraged Matthews Glen to become a Wildlife Sanctuary. For several years she was the photographer for the monthly journal and conducted the “Getting to Know You” program. She enjoyed line dancing and the exercise program. Fran was predeceased by her parents, sister and brother-in-law Kathleen and Robert Akers, daughters Nancy and Kathryn, and husband George. She is survived by daughter Martha Abernethy (Ernie) in Charlotte and son James (Courtney) in Birmingham, grandchildren Tommy Abernethy, Jessi (Allen) Moody, , Shannon Kerr (Forrest Drake), and Taylor Kerr. Cousins, nieces and nephews are scattered from Nova Scotia to Seattle. A Memorial Service will be held at Matthews Glen - 733 Pavilion View Drive, Matthews, NC 28105 on Friday, March 3rd, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. The family requests that memorial gifts be designated for the Kathryn J. (Kathy) Kerr Memorial Scholarship Fund in the Department of Health Behavior at UNC Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health. Memorial gifts can be made online (https://go.unc.edu/FrancesKerr) or mailed to UNC-Chapel Hill, PO Box 309, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, with checks payable to the “UNC-CH Public Health Foundation” (please note “In memory of Frances Kerr” in the memo line). Frances’ family has given the family of Lowe-Neddo Funeral Home the privilege of caring for her and for them.

Frances Curry Kerr

September 25, 1928 - February 23, 2023