Obituary of Helen Stewart Holland Kerr

Helen Stewart Holland Kerr was born in Charlotte, NC, on June 10, 1924 to Samuel Clyde and Jenny Lynn Scott Stewart. She was the youngest of five siblings, one of whom died as an infant. After graduating from Central High School, she married her first husband, Wilbur (Buddy) Holland, a merchant marine. The two moved to Norfolk, VA, where they had a son, Wilbur (Skip) Jr. In 1954, Helen married Leonard William Kerr. Leonard was a native Charlottean, whose family owned a dry-cleaning business on Parkwood Avenue. He had a son, Jim, the same age as Skip, and was a pilot in the Air Force. Soon the Kerrs were being stationed at various bases around the world and had four additional children. After Leonard retired from the military in 1965, the couple moved back to Charlotte, making their home in Cotswold. They enjoyed frequent trips to the coast and the NC mountains. Helen worked in the china department at Ivey’s for ten years, where she developed an appreciation for fine china and crystal. Leonard passed in 1996, and Helen continued to cultivate her interests in reading, writing, traveling, gardening (especially bonsai), collecting crystal and china, and hosting regular gatherings for her growing family. Helen had a strong faith and passed peacefully on December 1. She is survived by her sons, Skip Holland and wife, Barbara; Jim Kerr; Steve Kerr and wife Doris; and Greg Kerr; her daughters, Mary Powers Amen and husband, John; and Julie Kerr Coogan and husband, Tom; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Helen was the life of a party, loved to laugh, sought out genuine conversations, and had an abiding appreciation for the natural world. The family extends their deepest gratitude for the kindness and consistent care provided by the staff at White Oak Manor of Charlotte, and prior to that at Sardis Oaks. A memorial service will be held on Dec 14 at 1pm at Hankins and Whittington, Charlotte, followed by a reception at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: NAMI (nami.org), Hospice and Palliative Care of Charlotte (https://hpccr.thankyou4caring.org) and Wing Haven (https://winghavengardens.org/membership/). She is missed beyond measure.