Avril Cleopatra Kerr

Avril Cleopatra Kerr, born in Jamaica West Indies on August 24, 1930 to loving parents John Clifton & Thelma Lynch. She was a woman of many names, to her children she was “Mama”, her nieces & nephews auntie “Pinchita” and to friends and acquaintances “Ms. P or “Ms. Carr”. Her primary education she completed in Jamaica.

At 8 years old a little neighborhood boy became a staple in her life, the loving Vernon Reginald Kerr. Vernon eventually asked for her hand in marriage. Avril married her childhood playmate Vernon August 24, 1957. This union produced 3 children, Vernon, Jr., Joan and Deborah.

In 1968 Avril migrated to New York, she worked as a Nanny and a Caregiver and was an expert in that field. Family members and friends can attest to her culinary skills, every meal she prepared was “finger lick-in good”.

Avril and Vernon moved to Ocala Florida in 1991. She spent most of her time gardening and crafting.

As a devout Christian, Avril’s faith led her to attend St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church in Brooklyn, NY and her move to the Sunshine State invited her to the pews of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church-Montaque in Ocala, FL where the Reverend Reginald Willis, Sr., is the Pastor. Her love for Christ the Omnipotent was evident in her daily walk of life. She raised her three children to know that “without Christ in the vessel, no one is able to smile at the storm”.

Missing her dearly are: Loving husband Vernon, son Vernon Jr., & daughter-in-law Andrea, daughter Joan, daughter Deborah & son-in-law William. 10 grand-children, 17 great-grandchildren, hosts of nieces, nephews and dear friends.

"The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery, and their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace”.

A visitation for Avril will be held Friday, January 10, 2025 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Hardage-Giddens St. Johns, 1285 St. Johns Parkway, St. Johns, FL 32259. A funeral service will follow at 5:00 PM, at Hardage-Giddens St. Johns.

A second visitation will be held Monday, January 13, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Grace Funeral Chapel, 607 North Conduit Blvd., Brooklyn, NY 11208. The burial will follow at Cypress Hills Cemetery, 833 Jamaica Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11208.