Shelbia Jean Kerns, 76, a resident of Valley Bend, passed from this life Thursday morning November 7, 2013 at home. Shelbia was born in Mercer County, a daughter of the late Harry Mills and Grace Wood Mills. On December 13, 1980, in North Carolina, she married Dale Kerns who survives in Valley Bend. Also left to cherish Shelbia’s memory are her children, Wilbert Lee Blankenship and wife Laura of WA, Vida Jean Roy and husband Dean of Lost Creek, Virginia Lou Lohr of NC, Royal Leon Blankenship and wife Jewell of Dixie, Martha Ann Hamrick of Charleston, Tony Lee Barnhart and wife Susan of VA, Regina Coffey Brogden and husband Jimmy of NC, Tim Kerns and wife Carol of VA and Terry Kerns and wife Laura of HI, one brother, Jim Mills and wife Shelby of Montgomery and one sister Vivian Steele and husband Tim of Anstead. Preceding Shelbia in death besides her parents was one son, Aaron Blankenship. She had worked as the food service manager for the Bethel School System in NC. She thoroughly enjoyed the outdoors. Especially camping and fishing with her husband Dale. Shelbia was a fine Christian woman and attended the Elkins Church of God. Visitation will be held at the Randolph Funeral Home on Saturday from 6PM until 8PM. Funeral services will be held from the funeral home chapel on Sunday, November 10, 2013 at 2PM. Pastor Jamie Estep will officiate and interment will follow at Mountain State Memorial Gardens in Gilman.
