Eileen Kerr

Eileen Dawn Avery Kerr, aged 83, of Laurel Crossing, Blue Ridge, departed this life  Monday, December 12, following a period of declining health.

Mrs. Kerr was born September 6, 1939, the daughter of the late Gordon and Polly Avery of Thompson, Pennsylvania.

After graduating Wheaton College in 1961, she moved to Atlanta, where she taught music at Margaret Mitchell Elementary School and other city schools. She then taught at U.S. Military bases, including at Kodiak, AK and Guam. Later, she worked as a music textbook consultant with Holt, Rinehart & Winston and several other publishing companies. She also worked on the “See America Series” with Ted Turner in Atlanta.

Following buying a weekend place in Fannin County, she was the managing editor of Mountaineer Times magazine. In the late 1980s, she moved full-time to Fannin County where she served as organist and/or choir director at St. Luke’s Episcopal (over 30 years), Blue Ridge Methodist, United Methodist Church of Union County and Faith Presbyterian. In 1990, she was named marketing director of Fannin Regional Hospital. During her stint at Fannin Regional, she organized the Fannin Health Fair, and wellness seminars.

Her husband Dan Kerr predeceased her in 1985. One brother Phil Avery also predeceased her in 2020. She is survived by two nieces, Kayla (Dr. Jerome) of Oakes, Port Angeles, Washington; Jennifer Saul of Port Angeles, Washington; and one nephew, Chad Avery, also of Washington State.

Mrs. Kerr was a longtime member of St. Luke’s Church, Blue Ridge. She was the first female member of the Blue Ridge Kiwanis Club and later named Kiwanian of the Year. She served as a board member of the Blue Ridge Arts Association.

A service was held at 11 a.m. Monday, December 19, at St. Luke’s Church, 7 Ewing Street, Blue Ridge.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to St. Luke’s Church, P.O. Box 1821, Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513.

Cochran Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Karen Graves.

You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.