Obituary for Vera Kerr
Vera Relliford was born in Holly Springs, Mississippi on May 19, 1931, to the late Arthur and Lucille Relliford who preceded her in death. Vera was the middle child of 13 siblings; Jo Betty, Zudie Mae, Ardell, Arthur Jr., Richard, Almeta, Perry, Lou Georgia, Eva, Lucille, Bertha, and John. They all preceded her in death, in addition to her son Dale K. James and grandsons, Benjamin V. Relliford and Christopher Relliford. Oh my God! “Reunited and it Feels So Good!”
Mother moved to Memphis, TN at an early age with 3 small children; Lee A. Relliford, Alfred A. Relliford, and Gloria R. Relliford, all of Holly Springs, MS. In 1952, Vera gave birth to Georgia A. and later to Vivian Denise, Sheila M., Kenna A., and Dale K., who were all born in Memphis TN.
Vera gave her life to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at Mason Temple Church of God in Christ. She was baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost in Wednesday night tarrying service. She later joined Pentecostal Temple COGIC under the leadership of the late Presiding Bishop J. O. Patterson until she and her 8 children moved to Cleveland, Ohio. In 1963, she became a member of Grace Temple COGIC under the leadership of the late Supt. Willie J. Jackson. Mother Vera served as Sunday School teacher, choir director, helped to keep the church clean, and whatever her hands found to do. She did it with all her might as unto the Lord! Supt. Willie Jackson affectionately nicknamed Mother “The Kitchen Mechanic” because of her baking and cooking with excellent presentation!
Mother Vera taught all of her children how to cook, clean, bake, sew and how to serve others, by example. Mother fed and clothed entire families of 6 and 8 children down through the years. She always said, “And you better not tell anybody!” Mother Kerr was very firm in discipline and in her speech. She said what she meant and meant what she said. And her children are the same. Let the church say, Amen! She taught her children natural skills that blessed them and others to this day. She brought her children to church, Sunday School, Prayer and Bible Band, Y.P.W.W., Tuesday night tarrying service, Friday night Pastoral Service and Sunday all day. (LOL) She taught her children (Psalms 51:1-14) to ask God to forgive, wash, and create a clean heart. From her they learned the importance of having a spiritual and personal relationship with Jesus. They learned how to tithe, fast, and pray. She demonstrated through example how to fast 10 days and nights, eating and drinking nothing, in order to have a more excellent walk with God. Mother always said, “Don’t be a hypocrite! Either in or out, saved or not, cause it’s Heaven or Hell!”
Mother Vera moved to New London, CT in 1971. She joined and served at Pentecostal Rescue Mission COGIC. Mother Vera Kerr loved to fellowship with the saints! Some churches she enjoyed to fellowship with were Calvary COGIC, Mt. Moriah Fire Baptized Holiness church, Tabernacle of Deliverance and Praise, Missionary COGIC, Beulah Land COGIC, Trinity Temple COGIC, and Emmanuel COGIC. In 1996 she joined New Life Christian Church, where she remained until God called her home.
Mother leaves to honor her memory her 7 children; Lee A. Relliford, Alfredo A. Relliford (Mary), Gloria R. Boozer, Sheila M. Relliford, all of Connecticut, Vivian Denise Relliford, and District Missionary Evangelist Georgia White, International Federation of Chaplains, both of Cleveland, Ohio and Kenna A. James of California. In addition, she leaves over 30 grandchildren, a host of great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins, and many who loved to call her mother.
Mother Vera Kerr has complete healing now and the victory is won. Yet, we miss her.
II Corinthians 5:8 reads:
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
God has spoken, so let the church say, “Amen”.
A memorial celebration of Vera's life will begin promptly at 12:00 on Saturday, December 18th at New Life Christian Fellowship, 1729 Center Groton Road, Ledyard, CT.
- Obituary Lovingly Submitted by the Family
Mother moved to Memphis, TN at an early age with 3 small children; Lee A. Relliford, Alfred A. Relliford, and Gloria R. Relliford, all of Holly Springs, MS. In 1952, Vera gave birth to Georgia A. and later to Vivian Denise, Sheila M., Kenna A., and Dale K., who were all born in Memphis TN.
Vera gave her life to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at Mason Temple Church of God in Christ. She was baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost in Wednesday night tarrying service. She later joined Pentecostal Temple COGIC under the leadership of the late Presiding Bishop J. O. Patterson until she and her 8 children moved to Cleveland, Ohio. In 1963, she became a member of Grace Temple COGIC under the leadership of the late Supt. Willie J. Jackson. Mother Vera served as Sunday School teacher, choir director, helped to keep the church clean, and whatever her hands found to do. She did it with all her might as unto the Lord! Supt. Willie Jackson affectionately nicknamed Mother “The Kitchen Mechanic” because of her baking and cooking with excellent presentation!
Mother Vera taught all of her children how to cook, clean, bake, sew and how to serve others, by example. Mother fed and clothed entire families of 6 and 8 children down through the years. She always said, “And you better not tell anybody!” Mother Kerr was very firm in discipline and in her speech. She said what she meant and meant what she said. And her children are the same. Let the church say, Amen! She taught her children natural skills that blessed them and others to this day. She brought her children to church, Sunday School, Prayer and Bible Band, Y.P.W.W., Tuesday night tarrying service, Friday night Pastoral Service and Sunday all day. (LOL) She taught her children (Psalms 51:1-14) to ask God to forgive, wash, and create a clean heart. From her they learned the importance of having a spiritual and personal relationship with Jesus. They learned how to tithe, fast, and pray. She demonstrated through example how to fast 10 days and nights, eating and drinking nothing, in order to have a more excellent walk with God. Mother always said, “Don’t be a hypocrite! Either in or out, saved or not, cause it’s Heaven or Hell!”
Mother Vera moved to New London, CT in 1971. She joined and served at Pentecostal Rescue Mission COGIC. Mother Vera Kerr loved to fellowship with the saints! Some churches she enjoyed to fellowship with were Calvary COGIC, Mt. Moriah Fire Baptized Holiness church, Tabernacle of Deliverance and Praise, Missionary COGIC, Beulah Land COGIC, Trinity Temple COGIC, and Emmanuel COGIC. In 1996 she joined New Life Christian Church, where she remained until God called her home.
Mother leaves to honor her memory her 7 children; Lee A. Relliford, Alfredo A. Relliford (Mary), Gloria R. Boozer, Sheila M. Relliford, all of Connecticut, Vivian Denise Relliford, and District Missionary Evangelist Georgia White, International Federation of Chaplains, both of Cleveland, Ohio and Kenna A. James of California. In addition, she leaves over 30 grandchildren, a host of great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins, and many who loved to call her mother.
Mother Vera Kerr has complete healing now and the victory is won. Yet, we miss her.
II Corinthians 5:8 reads:
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
God has spoken, so let the church say, “Amen”.
A memorial celebration of Vera's life will begin promptly at 12:00 on Saturday, December 18th at New Life Christian Fellowship, 1729 Center Groton Road, Ledyard, CT.
- Obituary Lovingly Submitted by the Family