Dr. Shelly Nicole Kerr

1984 - 2017

Shelly Nicole Kerr, known to her family as Bubs, died Friday December 29th, 2017 at St. John's Hospital in Tulsa after a battle with cancer. She was born November 29th, 1984 in Bartlesville Oklahoma to Denise and Larry McPhillips. Shelly grew up in Bartlesville and excelled in school and sports. She graduated from Bartlesville High School in 2003 and went on to pursue a higher education at Oklahoma State University. Shelly graduated with a BS in 2007 and then went on to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a veterinarian. 2008 was a big year for Shelly. That year she not only married the love of her life, Brandon Kerr, but she also entered the Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences. The couple made their life in Stillwater, OK and had many friends. After graduating in 2012, she and Brandon moved back to their hometown of Bartlesville and began making their new life together.
Shelly began working for Manley Animal Hospital in 2012, where she continued to work until she was unable. She and Brandon had one beautiful son, Cooper, in October of 2015. Shelly loved fishing, hiking, camping, puzzles, going to the moves, and doing crafts with the children in her life. Unfortunately, a few months after giving birth, she was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer. This would be a tough battle of two years, which she fought bravely. Cancer ultimately claimed her life but her life was not defined by this disease. Shelly had such an appreciation and zeal for life which she lived fully and abundantly. This is what we are celebrating. To know Shelly is to love her.
She was preceded in death by two grandfathers and one grandmother. She is survived by her husband Brandon, son Cooper, daughter Ashlynn, mother Denise, father Larry, sister Andi, brother David, Mother-in-law Mara, Father-in-law Stan, grandmother Mariella Gibbs, and numerous other loved ones and friends.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at the East Cross Methodist Church in Bartlesville at 9am, Thursday, January 4. Graveside services will be held privately for the family only. Arrangements are being made with the Stumpff Funeral Home in Bartlesville. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Shelly's honor to the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, 239 Turpentine Creek Lane, Eureka Springs, AR 72632. Friends and loved ones may leave condolence messages online at www.stumpff.org.