Odest “Otis” Lee Kerns, 79, a lifelong resident of Dry Fork, departed this life at 11:39 a.m. Tuesday, June 11, 2002, at his home. He had been in declining health for the past two years and death was attributed to cancer.
He was born March 18, 1923, at Dry Fork, a son of the late William Kerns and Bertha Long Kerns.
He had never married.
Surviving are two brothers, Floyd Kerns, Dry Fork, and Forrest Kerns, Elkins; one sister, Tillie Kerns, Fayetteville, N.C.; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by four brothers, Clarence, Harper, Emmit Glenn and Roy W. Kerns; and one sister, Roxanna Brinkman.
“Otis” attended the Johnson Graded School. He was a graduate of Harman High School and attended Davis & Elkins College. He was a veteran of World War II, having served with the U.S. Army in the European Theatre. He was a farmer and woodsman. He was a member of Harman Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5781 and was a Protestant by faith.
Friends will be received at Lohr & Barb Funeral Home from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday. On Saturday, Mr. Kerns will be moved to Dry Fork Assembly of God Church, where friends may call from 11 a.m. until noon, the funeral hour. The Rev. Ken Plaster will officiate and interment will follow at the Smith Cemetery at Rich Mountain, Dry Fork.
