Dorothy Ellen Kerr's Obituary
It is with great sadness, we must announce the passing of our beloved mother, Dorothy Ellen Kerr, 97, who passed away on Monday, March 2, 2026. Dorothy’s family and friends will gather for a visitation from 11:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m., on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at the Universalist Unitarian Church of East Liberty: 2231 Jefferson Rd., Clarklake, MI 49234. Her funeral service will follow at 1:30 p.m. at the church. A private family graveside service was held at South Jackson Cemetery.
Dorothy was born on March 15, 1928, in Jackson, MI, to Willis and Clarisa (Dubois) Smith. She is survived by her daughters, Fern (RJ) Kerr-Arnold and Robyn (Wayne) Kerr-Griffin; her sons, Kim (Celia) Kerr and Kip (Riki) Kerr; her sister, Carol Hartsuff; 6 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents, Willis and Clarisa; her late husband, Winthrop Kerr; and her siblings, Ruth Davis, RoseAnn Pellem, Wesley Smith, Margret Johns, Marlyn Fredricks and Francis Schafer; and her dear friend of 40 years, Dean Center.
As a child, Dorothy attended East Liberty school; later graduating from Cement City High School. School teaching was her love, with her first teaching position being at a two-room schoolhouse. Dorothy taught at various schools over the years, but she spent the longest time at Hanover School District, totaling 39 years. During those years she was nominated as “Teacher of the Year”, of which she was extremely proud.
Dorothy loved being involved in the community, where she was the past President of the Jackson Women Club and a member of the U.U. Church in Clarklake, the Garden Angels and the Red Hatters Club. She was also a past “Worthy Matron” of the Liberty Bell Chapter Eastern Star. Dorothy was nominated “Jackson County Homemaker of the Year” for her beautiful flowers and garden. She loved hosting family and friends during the holidays.
As a farm girl, Dorothy was one of eight children, with strong parents and a family teamwork in an agricultural background, which would later, help her tackle the challenges of teaching. She did know the Lord, claiming many times that, “God was her right-hand man, helping her through many difficulties”. Dorothy was an advocate for historical preservation and nature. She was a true pioneer for her generation. Later in years, she loved radio listeners and enjoyed her birds and sandhill cranes. Winters were spent in Colorado and summers in Michigan. Dorothy will always be in our hearts and will truly be missed by all who knew and loved her.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Universalist Unitarian Church of East Liberty: 2231 Jefferson Rd., Clarklake, MI 49234. Please leave a message of comfort for Dorothy’s family or sign her guestbook at https://www.EinederFuneralHomes.com.
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