Jo-Ellen Kerns Stephens

Born January 9, 1939 in Iredell County to the late Joe Brice Kerns and Jennie Brawley Kerns, Jo-Ellen grew up in Huntersville and attended and graduated from North Mecklenburg High School. She also graduated from Lowrance Hospital School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse. Jo-Ellen met and married her soul mate, John M. Stephens, in 1973. Together they had many years of love, happiness and traveling the U.S. in their RV with their two very special dogs, Smoky and Miles.

Jo-Ellen was a Registered Nurse in the operating room at Mercy Hospital for many years, and retired from Mercy after a very successful career. She had many hobbies but her favorites were shopping, dining out and traveling. Jo-Ellen also loved playing cards, board games, checkers and Bingo.

Jo-Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Jennie; husband John M. Stephens; brother Robert (Alec) Kerns, Sr.; sister Linda Kerns Fisher; and great niece Jayden Kerns.

She is survived by many nephews and nieces: Robert (Robbie) Kerns, Jr. (Suzanne), Alexis Fisher Perkel (Jeffrey), Lori Fisher Stillwell (Douglas), Kate Kerns Litten, and Joe (Jay) Kerns II (Mandra), Tamara Taylor Throneburg (Brian) and James Taylor; as well as great nieces and nephews: Amanda Kerns, Robert (Trey) Kerns III, Katie Moose, Chelsey Moose, Sydney Moose, Marco Barrera, Daisy Litten, Khloe Kerns, Austin Kerns, Jake Taylor and Jessica Taylor.

Although Jo-Ellen did not have children of her own, you often found her at ball games, school plays, music concerts or Christmas parades. Jo-Ellen was just that kind of aunt.

She is also survived by a brother-in-law, Henry Fisher and a sister-in-law, Marybeth Kerns whom she loved dearly. Jo-Ellen also had a very special friend that meant the world to her, Dr. Elliot (Skip) Motley.

Jo-Ellen was loved by so many family and friends. She will be terribly missed, but we can rejoice in her life and celebrate that she is now in the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jo-Ellen’s family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 14th at Harry & Bryant, 500 Providence Road. A service to celebrate her life will be held in the funeral home chapel at 2:00 p.m. Thursday. Interment will follow at Huntersville Presbyterian Church cemetery in Huntersville.

Memorials can be made in Jo-Ellen’s name to the Ace and TJ Grin Kids in Charlotte, NC.