Betty Lorraine (Johns) Kerr

TEMPE – Betty Lorraine (Johns) Kerr, born on December 6, 1925 in Mesa, Arizona, to the late Buren and Lola Johns, passed away at age 92 on October 27, 2018 in Tempe, Arizona. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 59 years, John K Kerr, M.D.; son, Keith R Kerr; brothers, Richard and Bob Johns; grandson, John Kerr-Mellott; and great-grandson, Lance Kerr. Betty is survived by her son, John C Kerr (Sheri); daughters, Carla Kerr, Susan Kerr-Mellott (Brian), Eva Vuorenmaa Gertz of Germany; daughter-inlaw, Cindy Kerr; grandchildren, Sam Kerr, Dustin Kerr, Brian M Mellott (Desirea), Kelly Kerr-Mellott, Kara Kerr, and Shannon Kerr; great-grandchildren, Kolby Griffith, Asher Villalpando, Harlow and Killian Mellott, and Scotty Kerr-Mellott. She led an exemplary life of service to her community and won many awards too numerous to list. She started as a Sunday school teacher and Relief Society secretary at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She served as president of the Girl Scout Council of Arizona, was instrumental in acquiring Shadow Rim Girl Scout Camp in Payson, and was troop leader for the first racially integrated troop in Mesa. She was Mahnah Club president, very active in the AFS Student Exchange Program, traveled to remote villages in Guatemala giving immunizations through Amigos de las Americas, shared the 1968 Mesan-of-the-Year Award with her husband, was the first woman president of Mesa United Way surpassing $1 million dollars in their 1982 campaign, and a founding member of the Child Crisis Center. Her hobbies were family history, scrapbooking, and painting. Many of her paintings are in family and friends’ homes. She loved to travel and in her later years, started a travel company with long time friend Mary Ann Elliott. A few of her many adventures included Alaska, Russia, China, Europe, and Africa. Donations in Betty’s name to Child Crisis Arizona, 817 N Country Club Dr., Mesa, AZ 85201, www.childcrisisaz. org are welcomed. Friends and family members may attend the graveside service on Friday, November 9 at 10:00 a.m. at Mesa Cemetery, 1212 N Center St, Mesa. Meldrum Mortuary is taking care of arrangements, 480-834-9255.