Kerri Bennett Eaker

Kerri Bennett Eaker, age 57, of Mooresboro, North Carolina, passed away on June 28, 2024 at the Elizabeth House in Hendersonville. She was the daughter of Winston Bennett and the late Barbara Bennett. She was born in Haywood County and was a graduate of Enka High School.
Kerri is survived by her two sons, Matthew Kirkland (and his wife Bree) and Dakota Kirkland; grandkids, Hayley and Mason; identical twin sister, Sherri Sitton (and husband Mike) and sister, Linda Towles (and husband Brian); much loved nieces and nephews; and dear friends including Lora Holcombe and Ray Hemachandra. She was preceded in death by her mother Barbara Bennett and her husband Darrell Eaker.
In her 57 years on earth, Kerri was able to touch more lives and hearts than can be imagined. During her 11-month battle with cancer, she fought so hard. But anticipating the outcome, she made sure everything was in place for her family. Kerri was amazing, humble, and kind hearted, and she loved God.
After her relationship with God she was a Mom. She never hesitated to let everyone know her boys came first. She spent her life as a single parent trying to juggle work and taking care of a child in the IDD community with months spent at hospitals. She never let Dakota feel alone at those places regardless the consequences, while feeling guilty that she wasn't with the other son. She always figured out a way to give them everything they needed. Her pursuit to get support led to her career.
Kerri was a passionate disability and special-needs advocate who touched the lives of countless families and children. She worked with the Family Support Network of WNC, the Mental Health Association, and ECAC. Kerri chaired the NC Council on Developmental Disabilities and co-chaired the Cleveland County Children's Collaborative. She won the 2022 Jack B. Hefner Memorial Award for her lifetime of work in disability advocacy.
Two services will be held. Kerri requested attendees wear pink-her favorite color-if they choose.
The first Celebration of Life will be 11:00 am on Saturday, July 13, 2024 at Prospect Baptist Church, 2610 Prospect Church Road, Mooresboro, N.C. Pastor Tim Elmore and Steve Cooper will be officiating. The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall immediately following the service for a celebration.
The second Celebration of Life for colleagues and friends will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 20, 2024 at Groce Funeral Home, 1401 Patton Avenue, Asheville, N.C. The family welcomes friends and colleagues to lunch after the service in the room adjacent to the chapel.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Arc of North Carolina in support of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in Western North Carolina using the online form at https://bit.ly/KerriEakerArcNC or by mailing a donation in Kerri's name to The Arc of North Carolina, 353 E. Six Forks Road, Suite 300, Raleigh, NC 27609.