Kathy Amos

Kathy is preceded in death by her parents, David and Betty Lou Kerline. Kathy was raised in Lakewood, Ohio, a graduate of St. Joseph’s Academy and a proud graduate of the University of Akron’s Nursing School. Kathy spent her nursing career focusing on the needs of those who suffered with wound care and eventually felt a calling to focus on Hospice patients. Kathy was employed at Hospice by the Sea in Boca Raton, Florida and Community Hospice in Jacksonville, Florida.

In 1999, Kathy started Camp Christmas, Inc., a nonprofit organization she loved dearly. What began as a method to deliver Christmas gifts to underprivileged children and homeless adults turned into a year-round adventure providing: clothing; meals; school supplies; furniture; rent assistance; Thanksgiving baskets; Christmas dinners and gifts for the homeless, migrant workers and their families; and, to be quite honest, anybody she happened to run into that needed a hand up. Kathy’s service to God and others was not only apparent in her work, but also in her home, where family and friends could always enjoy her hospitality and care.

Kathy was an active parishioner at multiple Catholic churches over the years, participating in Emmaus Retreats and Christ Renews His Parish Retreats. A prayer warrior with a rosary, she thoroughly enjoyed spending time in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

Kathy struggled with various cancers for over twenty years, never letting the idea of being a victim of cancer ever enter her mind. Kathy saw these cancers as just another challenge that demanded some of her time but not her focus. She remained focused on her family, her friends, and those in her sphere of influence. When Kathy realized this particular cancer would end her life, she was not afraid because her faith taught her she would receive everlasting joy in heaven. And her faith was strong.

Kathy is survived by her husband Charlie Amos; her sons Mark Amos and Malachite Amos; daughters Kim Cherry (Michael) and Ivy Amos; granddaughters Emily and Madeline Cherry; sisters Jean Czarnecki (Ralph), Joan Nowak, Patricia Gage (Larry) and brother Jim Kerline (Coleen). Kathy also has twenty-four nieces and nephews that she always greatly enjoyed spending time with and countless friends that she has made along her journey.

The Amos Family would like to share a special thanks to the Oncology Team at the Mayo Clinic for the last thirteen years of care and hope, and to Community Hospice for doing what they do best. We would also like to acknowledge our friends Joe and Cathy Farina for their help with the care of our children, transportation to doctor’s appointments, and the endless supply of food and love they have offered over the last year.

A funeral mass for Kathy will be held Thursday, September 19, 2024 at 10:00 AM at St Joseph's Catholic Church, 11757 Old St Augustine Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32258, with a burial to immediately follow.