Anna Verne Kerwin

Anna Verne Richey Kerwin, 71, of Lake Charles passed away on Monday, February 18, 2019, at a local care facility, where she had been surrounded by family and friends for several days. 

Mrs. Kerwin was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, on April 22, 1947. She was a LaGrange High School graduate and continued her education at McNeese State University where she earned a degree in education.  She began her teaching career in the local public school system as a high school teacher but found her home as a middle school English teacher at Hamilton Christian School from which she retired in 2016. Mrs. Kerwin loved everything about teaching from preparing lesson plans to thinking of clever ways to help students learn.  Her students will remember Mr. Grammar, Eureka!, the preposition birdhouse, the deep, dark preposition hole, and her countless “Kerwinisms,” as she used her humor and wit to teach.

She was a member of Trinity Baptist Church where she enjoyed Bible studies with her friends.  Anna loved inviting friends and family into her home for food and fellowship and touched many friends with her generosity and love of sharing the Word of God.  She enjoyed gardening and tending to her flowers, but most of all she loved her precious grandchildren, who were all very special to Grandma K.

Those left to cherish her memory are her loving husband, James C. “Jim” Kerwin of Lake Charles; children, Jessica L. Ardoin (Chad) of Lake Charles, Robert J. “Bobby” Kerwin (Amy) of Lake Charles, and Joy E. Hood (Gary) of Dallas, TX; sisters, Paula McDonald (Charlie), and Pat Wimberly, both of Lake Charles; brothers, Douglas Richey (Sherry) of Lake Charles, and Matt Richey (Annette) of Moss Bluff; twelve grandchildren, Madeline, Jamie, Emma, Joylynn, Charlie, Zoe, Kate, Claire, Bryce, Marley, Reese, and Annaleigh; and numerous friends whom she loved dearly.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bobbie and James Richey.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 22, 2019 at 2:00 P.M. at Johnson Funeral Home, 4321 Lake Street, Lake Charles, LA 70605.  Visitation will take place at the funeral home on Thursday, February 21 from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M., and continue on Friday from 12:00 P.M. until the time of service. The Rev. Ray Captain will officiate.  Burial will follow at Consolata Cemetery.