Barbara Jean Kerkeles

Barbara Jean Kerkeles  April 28, 1931-September 24, 2024

Barbara Jean Kerkeles, age 93, passed away peacefully on September 24, 2024. Barbara was born on April 28, 1931, in Evansville, Indiana to the late Loretta Mae Mominee and Willard Charles Stevens. 

Barbara is preceded in passing by her husband of 62 years, Tommy Kerkeles, daughters, Linda Jane and Lori Leigh Kerkeles and son-in-law, Barry Payne. She is survived by her daughters, Jean Musgrove and Mary Jane Payne, son, Ken (Julie) Kerkeles, her grandchildren. Angie (John) Janicek, Stephen (Gina) Tidwell, Kathryn (Justin) Strong, Wes (Katie) Payne, Melissa Payne, Shannon (Geremy) Billingsly, Kara Kerkeles and Kristen Kerkeles. She had 14 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren and sisters, Carolyn Betteridge of Marietta, GA and Mary Lou Hughes of Murfreesboro, TN. Barbara had 2 nieces and 3 nephews, 4 great-nieces and 4 great-nephews. 

Barbara was faithful follower of Jesus Christ for over 70 years of her life. She served at 2 churches, Dalewood Baptist Church in Nashville and First Baptist Church Hendersonville, TN. She was the church secretary at Riverside Drive Baptist Church for several years. At Dalewood, she was a ladies’ Sunday School Teacher, G.A. Leader, Youth Worker, she started the first Mother’s Day Out Program called Friday School and sang in the choir. At FBCH, she was a Preschool Greeter on Sunday Mornings, served in the Prayer Room, helped in the kitchen to prepare for Wednesday Night Dinners, preparing visitation packets for deacons on Sunday after church, Sewing For The Nations and was a member of Kay Bain’s Connect Group until Covid. 

Barbara was a Family Leader and Advocate for Regional Intervention Program, known as RIP in Nashville. While there she was attended a conference in Washington, DC and asked to speak to U.S. Congress by Eunice Kennedy Shrive on behalf of RIP and families that the program had helped. She went on to Tennessee State University to get her RN degree and graduated in May 1983. Barbara worked in the Neo-Natal Nursery at Nashville General Hospital for 14 years. 

Her favorite past time was watching the Gaither Family Reunions. She loved the Lord, her family and helping others.

There will be a Celebration of Life Service on Saturday, November 2, 2024 in the First Baptist Church Hendersonville Chapel at 2:00 p.m. with visitation from 12:00-2:00 p.m. Bruce Chesser and Wes Payne will officiate. 

In lieu of flowers donation can be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation and Research and First Baptist Church Hendersonville Missions.