Mary Jane Kerr, 91, of Winfield, Kansas, passed away Sunday morning, February 28, 2021 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.

Born February 10, 1930 in the family home in Thayer County, Nebraska, she was the daughter of Jesse Crooks and Hazel Olive (Landis) Graham.  She was raised and received her education in Mahaska, Kansas, graduating from Mahaska Rural High School.

Following high school, Mary moved to Emporia, Kansas, to continue her studies at the College of Emporia.  While attending school there, she was united in marriage to Charles D. Kerr on December 28, 1949.  The couple made their first home in Emporia, where they both attended college, followed by Latham, Kansas, and Peabody, Kansas, for Charles' work.  They later moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas, where Charles completed his doctorate, and finally settled in Winfield in 1962.  Charles preceded Mary in death on October 14, 1998.

Mary was a homemaker most of her life and only worked outside of the home for a time when her children were older.  She enjoyed sewing, knitting, crocheting, gardening and bird watching.  Charles and Mary were members of the Cowley College Booster Club and liked cheering on the basketball and volleyball teams.  Mary continued supporting the Cowley College athletes even after Charles passed away.  She especially loved attending her children and grandchildren's events.

Mary was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Winfield.  She was an ordained elder, a 50-year member of the Chancel Choir, served as the Christian Education Director, and taught Sunday School. In addition, Mary and Charles were members of the Merri Mac Mariner group.  She also attended Presbyterian Women and the "Tuesdays at 10" study.  She occasionally led the women's study and was a wonderful source of knowledge and wisdom for the other attendees.  Mary was named the Presbyterian Woman of the Year and represented the church at Presbytery.

Her family includes her children, Suzanne "Suzie" Johnson and husband, Craig of Winfield; Duane "Duey" Kerr and wife, Stacy of Oxford; Mary Topper and husband, Jim of Winfield; her grandchildren, Sarah Jackson and husband, Mike; Aaron Johnson and wife, Teresa; Nathan Halbert and wife, Melissa; Amber Torres and husband, Luis; Andrew Kerr and wife, Kayla; Jimmie Topper and wife, Michelle; Halleé Topper; Jessie Topper and significant other, Jackson Perez; her 15 great grandchildren; her one great-great grandchild; her brother-in-law, Dean Kerr; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Mary was preceded in death by her son, Steven Kerr; siblings, Jesse Graham, Gerald Graham, Lou Ann McKinley, William Graham; and her infant twin brothers, Gail and Dale.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at the First Presbyterian Church in Winfield.  The service will be livestreamed from the Winfield First Presbyterian Church Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/WinfieldFirstPresChurch Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery.  A visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at Miles Funeral Service from 5 to 7 P.M.  The family will greet visitors that evening.  The family requests that masks be worn to the visitation as well as to the funeral service.

Memorials have been established in Mary's name for the First Presbyterian Church of Winfield and the Cowley College Dr. Charles D. Kerr Memorial Scholarship.  Contributions may be made through the funeral home.