“Ms. Kerr”, as her husband and children were known to call her, was born October 29, 1925 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Raised on rural farms, with humble trappings, the journey to San Antonio in her early teens was indeed a move to the big city. After attending Jefferson High School for one year, she settled into South San High School where she met her future husband, Larry Kerr.
Rita married and started a family with World War II all around. As Larry returned from duty, she made plans for the future. Getting an education on a slender budget, Rita sewed ballet costumes for a local dance company to finance her college degree and became a teacher. With two young children by her side, she began her career at Elma A. Neal Elementary in San Antonio. From day one, she counseled her kids, “my name is Ms. Kerr, not mom or mother”, and it stuck.
Rita was a great teacher of the 3rd and 4th grades during the 26 years she worked. She had imagination and drive, both of which served her students well. Her skills instilled worthy values in most of her students, many of whom remember her to this day.
Her determination and goals were lofty at times. She wanted to travel around the world. On a teacher’s pay, no mean feat, but she did! She wanted to own at least one fancy car. Again, on a teacher’s pay, but she did! Rita had what we used to call gumption; courage and confidence.
Once retired, she could not settle. She began extensive research on Texas and wrote her first book, Girl of The Alamo which has been read by thousands of children in Texas. Rita was off and running. She wrote over 20 children’s books and several adult novels. She and her husband traveled throughout South Texas attending elementary schools, Rita always in period costume, storytelling her books. She even wrote a contemporary true story The Alamo Cat.
In addition to the Texas research she became very interested in genealogy and found she qualified to become a member of many organizations from Daughters of the American Revolution to Daughters of the Republic of Texas. She discovered her lineage led her to be a descendant of Stephen F. Austin’s Old Three Hundred, first colonists to be granted land parcels from Mexico.
After her beloved husband’s death in 2007, tired but proud of her many achievements, she led a quiet life for her last 10 years, accompanied by her constant companion, Maria. Maria became her daughter, her mother, her caregiver and, as the family, will greatly miss Rita.
She leaves behind her son Don, her daughter Kay, their spouses, two grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
We will miss our Ms. Kerr and the light of her beautiful blue eyes.
Celebration remembrance will be held on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at Roy Akers Funeral Home, 226-7201, 515 N. Main in San Antonio. Brief viewing begins at 10:30 prior to 11:00 service.
Arrangements under the direction of Funeraria Del Angel Roy Akers, San Antonio, TX.
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