Rhoda Darlene Kerr

Rhoda Darlene Kerr, age 82, of Vandalia, MO passed away at 8:32 pm Thursday, October 16, 2025, at Baptist Home of Tri-County.

Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 pm Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Waters Funeral Home. Pastor Charlene Wheeler-Williams D.D. will officiate. Burial will follow in the Vandalia Cemetery.

Visitation celebrating Rhoda's life will be held 11:00 am until the time of the service Saturday at the Waters Funeral Home.

Rhoda was born on September 16, 1943, in Louisiana, MO the daughter of Irvin W. Childs and Mary Nell (Washington) Thornton.

She was united in marriage to Harold Edward Kerr, he preceded her in death on March 24, 1998.

Survivors include her loving granddaughter, Diamonique Kerr currently serving in the US Navy in San Diego, CA; brothers, Joseph (JT) Thornton (Nicole) of Forney, TX, Eric Thornton (Robbie) of Glenn Heights, TX, Richard Thornton of Bloomington, IL, Stevie Thornton of Bloomington, IL, Robert Childs of Fulton, MO, Irvin Childs (Vickie) of Hannibal, MO, David Childs (LaeTonyah) of Fulton, MO and John Edward Childs of Denver CO; sisters, Betty Thornton-Blue of Decatur, IL, Jean Ann Thornton of Stone Mountain, GA, Phyllis Collins (Eric) of Bloomington, IL, Linnette Thornton-Walls of Bloomington, IL, Juliet Simmons (Will) of Bloomington, IL, and Wanda Hunter of Lithonia, GA; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, Rhoda was preceded in death by a daughter Rhonda Kerr, brothers George Allen Thornton and Dennis Childs, stepson Larry Chatman, grandson Emeri Kerr, sister-in-law Rhonda Thornton and brother-in-law, James Walls.

Rhoda was an alumnus of Bowling Green High School. She worked at Tri-County Care Center in Vandalia in housekeeping for thirty-nine years before retirement.

Rhoda had a kind heart that showed love for her family and her job. She enjoyed cooking for family events and hosting family and friends in the comfort of her home. Rhoda will be dearly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.

Pallbearers will be Eric Thornton, Robert Childs, Richard Thornton, Irvin Childs, Fred Jones, Stevie Thornton, Deonte Thornton, Alferd "Boney" Hutt, Bryan Thornton, and Michael Reynolds.

Honorary pallbearers will be Joseph "JT" Thornton, David Childs, Paul Lewis and William Wheeler.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Baptist Home of Tri-County or the Vandalia Second Christian Church, in care of Waters Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be made to the family and video tribute viewed on Rhoda's memorial page at www.watersfuneral.com.