Shirley Ann Coker Kerr

She was born in her family home in Newcomerstown, Ohio on August 17, 1935, to Odell Chandler Coker and Thomas Coker. She was married to Col. William Byron Kerr, US Army (Dec.) for 38 years until his death in 1994. Following her graduation from Newcomerstown High, she added to her education by receiving a B.A. in Human Services Administration at Antioch University; attending the Women’s Campaign School at Yale University; and participating as a Hopkins Fellow in Applied Behavioral Science in Organizational and Community Systems at Johns Hopkins University. Shirley also had a long and varied career as a US Army officer’s wife, and later as an administrator and management consultant for Colorado Women’s College; Graduate School, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture; United Way, United Black Fund; and the Social Security Administration. She was a member of Newcomerstown Village council for four years and then campaigned for mayor in 1999. Shirley expressed her dedication for lifting others by running an informal ‘finishing school’ for the young women of Newcomerstown’s predominantly Black neighborhood of Clow Avenue.

Shirley had a passion for travel and learning about other cultures and got to experience both during her 17 moves over 21 years moving the family to Bill Kerr’s various Army assignments all over the US, Puerto Rico, and Germany. She traveled to China as a Citizen Ambassador for People-to-People Contract Management Delegation. She shared her passion for interior design and finer international products by opening the store Something Special Gift Shoppe in Newcomerstown.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William Byron Kerr; parents Odell Chandler Coker, and Thomas Coker; her brother MSgt. Thomas Dale Coker, USAF, Ret.; and her sister Jacqueline Coker Hauser. She is survived by her eldest daughter Leah Marie Kerr; and sons William Byron Kerr, Jr. (Tanyen) and Jeffrey Eugene Kerr (Amber Renee). She is also survived by her grandchildren Anthony Eugene Kerr (Seattle); Taslim Maya Kerr (Charlotte); and Talia Simone Kerr (Cary).

The family will have a private memorial to honor the life of Shirley Coker Kerr.