Lillian Virginia (Sorrels) Kerr

Virginia Kerr, formerly of Fairfield, passed away at 8:05am on Sunday, December 18, 2022, at Lakeland Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing in Effingham, IL, just short of her 102nd birthday. She had worked at Fairfield National Bank as a bookkeeper until her retirement. 

Virginia was born on February 28, 1921, in Pittman, AK, to Jess and Kizzie (Salmon) Sorrels. She had three sisters, Nita Jackson, Helen Luttrel, and Sarah Gray. Virginia married Howard Palmer in 1940, and that union produced four children, Linda Slifer, Elaine Nelson, Jim Palmer, and Greg Palmer. After Howard’s death, she married her lifelong friend, Tom Lingafelter, who also preceded her in death. Later, she married Harold Kerr, and he also preceded her in death. 

Virginia was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church in Fairfield where she enjoyed volunteering for funeral dinners. She also loved working at the Clothesline retail shop. 

Survivors include a daughter Elaine Nelson of Leo, IN, a son Greg Palmer of Edgewood, IL, a daughter-in-law Karen Palmer of Taylorville, IL, ten grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren, with her first great great granddaughter due in May. She was preceded in death by her parents, three husbands, her daughter Linda, her son Jim, and her three sisters. 

Funeral services for Virginia Kerr will be at 12pm on Tuesday, December 27th at the Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home in Fairfield with burial in Maple Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11am until the time of service at the funeral home. 

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