Dorothy Renfrow Kerr

Dorothy “Dot” Renfrow Kerr died on February 15, 2014 at her home. She was born on December 29, 1924 in Wilson, NC to Johnnie Edgar Renfrow and Eva Flowers Renfrow. Dot was raised in Smithfield until her family moved to Portsmouth, VA when she was 18.

While in Portsmouth, Dot applied for a bookkeeping job at Stokes Pharmacy. The manager and pharmacist, Banks Kerr, said, “That’s the girl I’m going to marry!” They were married for 57 years until his death in 2000. Together they started and grew the Kerr Drug Store chain. Dot epitomized the saying that “behind every successful man is a good woman.” She did everything from bookkeeping to making the chicken salad for the soda fountain, all while raising 3 children. Her hospitality was legendary. Her home was always welcoming to all of her children’s friends, as well as to Dot’s and Banks’s many friends and family.

Dot’s greatest joy was giving to others. She and Banks supported many organizations in the community, including the YMCA of the Triangle, Camps Sea Gull and Seafarer, the UNC Pharmacy School, Edenton Street United Methodist Church, and Hospice of Wake County.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Dot was predeceased by a brother, Edgar Renfrow, and two sisters, Pearl Renfrow Owen and Reba Renfrow Schmierer.

Dot is survived by her three children; Linda Kerr Moore and husband Ralph, Debra Kerr Woody and husband Chris, and Johnny Banks Kerr, all of Raleigh; a sister, Marie Renfrow Chappell of Portsmouth, VA; and a brother, Graham Renfrow, of Parkton, NC. She is survived by ten grandchildren; Steven Banks Kerr (Amberly), John Banks Kerr (Casie), Katherine Cvetko McElroy (Richard), Christopher Lee Woody (Amber), Mary Elizabeth Woody, Julia Kerr Peterson (Matt), Jennifer Dorothy Kerr, Jessica Kerr Chase (Merrick), Emily Elizabeth Kerr, and Eva Renfrow Kerr; and 8 great-grandchildren.

The family wants to acknowledge the wonderful care provided by her in-home caretakers, Keisha Underdue, Ernestine Gupton, and especially Donald Bailey who ran her household as well as cared for her. The family also appreciates the friendship of Tricia Woodcock.

Family Visitation will be on Tuesday, February 18, 2014 from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm, 5510 Homewood Banks Drive.

A celebration of Dot’s life will be held at Edenton Street United Methodist Church on Wednesday, February 19, 2014 at 2:00 pm.

There will be a private family burial after the service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of Wake County, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607, or to Edenton Street United Methodist Church, 228 W. Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC 27603.

Arrangements are by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary’s Street, Raleigh, NC.