Alissa Kerns
Alissa Kay Kerns, 61, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, died on Sunday, July 27, 2014.
She was born Feb. 7, 1953, to the late William and Ruth Kerns in Clarksburg W.V.
She is survived by her brother, William (Leesa) Kerns II, three nephews, Matthew, Morgan and Michael Kerns and five great-nieces and nephews.
Orange Grove Center was blessed to have Alissa move into a group home May 21, 1974. Her vibrant personality, her love for people and her gift of endearing conversation brought never ending joy to all who knew and loved her.
Alissa attended church from the time she entered Orange Grove Center to the date of her death. For many years, she attended Central Baptist Church at Woodmore. This church moved to Ooltewah and was renamed Christway Baptist Church. Alissa attended there every Sunday until about 10 years ago, when she joined many of her other friends at Abba’s House, where she was a member of the Sunshine Class. In 1974, Alissa began asking everyone she knew on a daily basis for pennies to give to both the Lottie Moon Christmas and Annie Armstrong Easter offerings. Orange Grove staff and family members would keep a collection of pennies to hand over to her when she came to collect. Over the course of 40 years, Alissa collected hundreds of dollars for those two mission offerings.
In lieu of flowers, Alissa’s life would be honored and her love for the Lord celebrated by donations to her two favorite missions. No doubt in the minds of those closest to Alissa, that when she was met by Jesus, he mentioned the pennies.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 1, in the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the Hamilton Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday from 12-1 p.m.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanoogaeastchapel.com.