Mildred Kerr

MILDRED CALDWELL KERR, of Houston peacefully passed from life to eternal life everlasting on Tuesday, the 20th of May 2014, six years to the day after the death of her beloved husband of 65 years, Baine Perkins Kerr. She was born on the 18th of June 1919, in St. Louis, Missouri and moved soon after to San Antonio, Texas, where she loved growing up. Following her graduation from Jefferson High School, she received her B.A. from the University of Texas, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. While there, she met the love of her life, Baine of Houston, whom she married at Elmhurst, the Caldwell ancestral home in West Virginia, in June 1942. Following his discharge from the Marine Corps in 1946, they made Houston their home. Mildred was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian church and a devoted member of The Garden Club of Houston.
She was a wonderful and fun friend to many, even having First Dog, "Millie", named after her by longtime neighbors and friends, Barbara and George Bush. Mildred loved Kerplunk, the peaceful retreat in the Texas hill country that she and Baine built in the 1970s. In her later years, she enjoyed returning with family to the Greenbrier valley in West Virginia, where her parents and ancestors lived since the 1830s. She also loved to go to the Houston Country Club to see all of her old friends. In addition, she valued her new friends at The Buckingham, where she resided for the last ten years.
Her faith, care for others and youthful spirit are a great example for all of us to follow. We will miss her sense of humor, her singing and dancing to Hank Williams and Kris Kristofferson, her passion for movies and flowers, and her high kicks.
Mildred was preceded in death by her husband Baine; parents Mary and James Caldwell; and sister Mary Bell Browning. She is survived by her sons Baine, Jr. of Boulder, Colorado, John and wife Susan of San Antonio, Rob and wife Mimi of Houston, and daughter Mary Winters and husband Bill of Houston; thirteen grandchildren: Baine Kerr, Dara Kerr, Brewster Kerr and wife Jennifer, Caldwell Kerr, Jeff Kerr and wife Lindy, Millie Kerr, Caroline Kerr and husband Andy Lusk, Isabel Schulte and husband John, Lucy Kerr, Sophie Kerr, Gracey Winters, Will Winters, and Mary Kerr Winters; and great-grandchild Cooper Kerr and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family is thankful for the wonderful care Mildred received from her devoted caregivers: Sandra Cossio, Tomasa Orellana, Amie Robinson and Ledonna Williams.
A memorial service will be conducted at two o'clock in the afternoon on Tuesday, the 27th of May, in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, 5300 Main Street, where Dr. Bill Heston, Executive Pastor, is to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the fellowship hall.
Prior to the service, the family will have gathered for a private interment service at Glenwood Cemetery in Houston.
In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions may be directed to The Greenbrier Historical Society and North House Museum, 301 West Washington, Lewisburg, WV, 24901; First Presbyterian Church Houston, 5300 Main Street, Houston, TX 77004; or The Garden Club of Houston, 4212 San Felipe, PMB486, Houston, TX 77027.