DES ARC — Mattie Elizabeth Kerr,
of Des Arc, departed this life peacefully with her daughters at her side on Monday, May
20, 2024. Elizabeth was born in
Halls, Tenn., on September 24,
1931, to William
Richard and Annie Jane Powell.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her late husband Francis P. Kerr, her sisters Mildred and Martha, brother Billy, daughter-inlaw Sherry Kerr and son-in-law Scott Speight. She is survived by one sister, Peggy Lyell of Ripley, Tenn., her children, Pamela Enloe of Cabot, Parker (Lindy) Kerr of Hazen, Dennis Kerr of Des Arc, Donna Speight of Hickory Plains, and Billy Kerr of Stuttgart. She is also survived by her grandchildren Robert (Danielle) Kerr, Jennifer (Lynn) Williams, Courtney (Loy) Kee, Joshua Enloe, Trey (Grace) Marable, Shawn (Rose) Kerr, Seth Speight, Lauren (Grant Ballard) Speight, and Michelle (Logan) McClelland. Also left to cherish her memory are 14 great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren.
Elizabeth could be described with a host of words, but to those who knew her the best, the three words that would describe her would be faith, love and resolve. She had an intense love for the Lord and was a faithful servant to him throughout her life. She could be found every Sunday in the same seat at First Baptist Church in Des Arc. She showed love to each and every person she encountered, whether it be her family, her many friends, fellow church members or members of the community where she worked as the local revenue agent for 24 years. She showed incredible resolve, as she became a widow at an early age and worked tirelessly to provide each of her children with a better path forward. Everyone knows that the first words she heard when she entered God’s kingdom were “Well done thy good and faithful servant.”
Services will be held at First Baptist Church in Des Arc on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 2 p.m. with Dr. Melvin York officiating. Visitation will precede the service at 1 p.m. in the sanctuary. The family would also like to offer their sincerest gratitude to Ms. Pam Prichard for her loyal friendship and loving presence during her final days. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to may honor her memorials to the First Baptist Church Mother’s Day program. This outreach program and children were especially dear to her heart.