Erkle St. John

Mrs. St. John was born on December 28, 1933 to Ernest and Ollie Lane Kessinger. She and her husband, Dr. Jerry G. St. John were married for 66 years. She was an active member of First Baptist Church where she also worked on the Church Staff for over 26 years.

Mrs. St. John is survived by her husband, Dr. Jerry G. St. John; two sons and daughters-in-law, David and Cyndi St. John of Irmo and Paul and Karen St. John of Columbia; and three grandchildren, Stephen, Brianne, and Daniel St. John. She is also survived by a special cousin, Nell Newberry of Conway Arkansas and one nephew: Ray Perkins and his wife Pat of Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

Mrs. St. John was predeceased by her parents and a sister, Avanelle Perkins of Pine Bluff, Arkansas and brother, Bob Kessinger of Little Rock, Arkansas.

Mrs. St. John graduated from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas and attended Golden Gate Seminary in San Francisco. In 1963, she and Jerry were appointed by the North American Mission Board as missionaries to the deaf in Mississippi. In 1966 she was chosen as one of the Outstanding Young Women of America for her work with the deaf. She also taught school in Mississippi.

In 1975 Jerry and Erkle moved to Columbia, SC and were active with the deaf and other language groups in the state for more than 25 years.

Mrs. St. John also wrote curriculum materials for deaf children for the Baptist Sunday School Board (Lifeway).

The family would like to thank their friends at First Baptist Church Columbia, their wonderful neighbors in Whitehall who have supported them during this time with meals, calls, visits, texts, and cards and the staff at Agape Hospice for their care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Columbia, Annie Armstrong Offering

306 Hampton St., Columbia, SC 29201.