Gayla Kerby
January 8th, 1956 - June 7th, 2025
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Gayla's Obituary
Gayla Kerby, 69, of St. Joseph, Michigan, passed away peacefully, Saturday, June 7, 2025 at her home, leaving behind a legacy of love, faith, and unwavering devotion to her family and the Lord. Born and raised in St. Joseph, Michigan, Gayla spent her entire life in the community she cherished, touching countless lives with her warmth, kindness, and steadfast spirit. A devoted daughter, mother, and friend, Gayla was cherished by all who knew her.
Gayla graduated from St. Joseph High School, Class of 1974 and attended Lake Michigan College. On August 2, 1975, she married Guy Kerby at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ in St. Joseph. Gayla was employed for thirty plus years at Barrett & Driscoll Pediatrics in St. Joseph, retiring in 2020. She was a long-time member of the First Church of God in St. Joseph where she sang in the choir, taught Sunday School and was active in children’s ministry. She attended Bible Study Fellowship and had been a leader for the last several years. In her free time, she enjoyed playing the piano, sewing, putting together jig-saw puzzles, walking her dog, and most of all, the time spent with her loving family and many friends.
Gayla is survived by her loving husband, Guy and her children Amanda Kerby, Kenneth (Jenn) Kerby, and Jackie (Brian) Hoyt. Gayla was a proud and devoted grandmother to her two grandsons, Anthony Ealey Jr. (son of Amanda) and Cameron Kerby (son of Kenneth and Jenn), who brought immense joy to her life.
She is also survived by her mother, Barbara Pullins, her sister, Toni (Tim) Tole, her brothers Robert “Skip” Pullins, Brian (Jennifer) Pullins, Timothy (Rita) Pullins, and a host of other relatives. She was preceded in death by her father Robert and brother Greg. Gayla’s family was her heart, and her love for them was boundless.
Her absence leaves a profound void in the lives of those who loved her. She was a faithful servant to the Lord and her love of choir, Children’s Ministry, and Children’s Promise are a reflection of the care she had for others. She was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed by all who had the blessing of knowing her.
A Celebration of Life Eternal will be held 1:00 P.M. Saturday, June 14, 2025 at the First Church of God, 2627 Niles Ave., St. Joseph. Friends may visit with the family beginning at 11:30 A.M. Saturday at the Church. Private burial will take place at a later date at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph. Memorial donations in Gayla’s name may be made to Children of Promise, Anderson, IN. Those wishing to sign Gayla’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Gayla graduated from St. Joseph High School, Class of 1974 and attended Lake Michigan College. On August 2, 1975, she married Guy Kerby at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ in St. Joseph. Gayla was employed for thirty plus years at Barrett & Driscoll Pediatrics in St. Joseph, retiring in 2020. She was a long-time member of the First Church of God in St. Joseph where she sang in the choir, taught Sunday School and was active in children’s ministry. She attended Bible Study Fellowship and had been a leader for the last several years. In her free time, she enjoyed playing the piano, sewing, putting together jig-saw puzzles, walking her dog, and most of all, the time spent with her loving family and many friends.
Gayla is survived by her loving husband, Guy and her children Amanda Kerby, Kenneth (Jenn) Kerby, and Jackie (Brian) Hoyt. Gayla was a proud and devoted grandmother to her two grandsons, Anthony Ealey Jr. (son of Amanda) and Cameron Kerby (son of Kenneth and Jenn), who brought immense joy to her life.
She is also survived by her mother, Barbara Pullins, her sister, Toni (Tim) Tole, her brothers Robert “Skip” Pullins, Brian (Jennifer) Pullins, Timothy (Rita) Pullins, and a host of other relatives. She was preceded in death by her father Robert and brother Greg. Gayla’s family was her heart, and her love for them was boundless.
Her absence leaves a profound void in the lives of those who loved her. She was a faithful servant to the Lord and her love of choir, Children’s Ministry, and Children’s Promise are a reflection of the care she had for others. She was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed by all who had the blessing of knowing her.
A Celebration of Life Eternal will be held 1:00 P.M. Saturday, June 14, 2025 at the First Church of God, 2627 Niles Ave., St. Joseph. Friends may visit with the family beginning at 11:30 A.M. Saturday at the Church. Private burial will take place at a later date at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph. Memorial donations in Gayla’s name may be made to Children of Promise, Anderson, IN. Those wishing to sign Gayla’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
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