Shirley Kerr Self

Shirley Kerr Self transitioned on Friday, January 25, 2019, to be with her Lord and Savior. Shirley was born on April 12, 1930, to Robert Erskine Kerr and Rosa Van Cleave Wilkins in Augusta, Georgia. Her family moved to Lake Charles shortly after she was born.

After graduating from Lake Charles High School, Shirley attended McNeese Junior College. In one of her classes, a young man kept trying to copy her classwork. Evidently there was more interest involved than copying work, because she and Marvin Self were soon married on September 5, 1951, at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd.

Shirley was a cradle Episcopalian and taught Sunday School. When the Self family moved to south Lake Charles in 1957, they began attending St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church, where she was a member of the Altar Guild.

Shirley truly walked in the Kingdom her entire life. She was an eternal optimist and always found good in everyone and everything. Shirley loved animals, and over the course of her life had numerous pets, including cats, dogs, sheep, birds, a skunk, an armadillo, an alligator and snakes. She was also a leader in Campfire Girls and Cub Scouts, was a Pink Lady and was involved in the prison ministry. Shirley was a former member of the board of directors of Hobo Hotel.

Those left to cherish Shirley’s memory are her husband of 67 years, Marvin; brother, Tommy (Lori) of Sulphur; her four children and their spouses: Malcolm (Donna), Melanie (Freddie), Douglas (Cindy), all of Lake Charles; and Richard (Rachel), of Shreveport; grandchildren and spouses: Derek, Jeremy (Amanda), Jessica, Robert, Daniel (Lauren), and Audra; seven great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; nephew, Jeremy Kerr; and niece, Kathleen Parker.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, January 29, at 11 a.m. at St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church. The Very Rev. D. Seth Donald will officiate. Visitation will be on Tuesday, January 29, from 9 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church, 123 W. Sale Road, Lake Charles, LA 70605 and/or to Hobo Hotel for Cats.

The family would like to thank Dr. Jeremy Timmer and his staff, especially Jason, Jeannie and Kaycie, in Surgical ICU at Rapides Regional Medical Center for their support and care of Shirley during this time.