Obituary of Bess Irene Kerron

Bess Irene Everson was born January 23, 1920 in Salem Oregon to Chester J. Everson and Leona McMillen. Her mother died when Bess was two. Her father remarried and Wenona June Tyler became her mother. The family moved to Portland. When Bess was in the eighth grade she met Richard Allen Kerron while roller skating with a friend. As Bess started high school, Richard (Bud) would meet her in the morning and carry her books to Grant High School. They both graduated from Grant, Bud going on to OSU, and Bess to secretarial school. They married in 1941 at Westminster Presbyterian Church. After the ceremony they went to Seattle to start their lives together when Bud was promptly called up for active military duty. Bess followed Bud to numerous bases before Bud was shipped overseas. She then returned to Portland to keep house for her father-in-law and wait for Bud’s return. They had three children which kept her busy. She was a Bluebird leader, a Cub Scout leader, a volunteer at Emmanuel Hospital and active with her Mariners group at Westminster. She also participated in the Sew ‘n Sews group at Summerplace. During the 1960’s and 1970’s, she worked in the gift and china and baby departments at Meier & Frank Lloyd Center. She was involved in the pew cushion project at her church. She made several needlepoint squares which depicted the stain glass windows of Westminster. The arthritis in her hands prevented her from continuing with that work which she truly enjoyed. But first and foremost, Bess was a homemaker. She was the best…just ask anyone who enjoyed her cookies! Her husband of 72 years, preceded her in death by just three months. Surviving her are her sons, Richard Jr. (Elrita) and Bruce, and daughter, Nancy Cain (Ross) of The Dalles Oregon; six grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother and friend and we who were a part of her life are thankful for the time we got to share with her!!! A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 9th at 1:00pm at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1624 N.E. Hancock Street, Portland OR 97212. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Great Hall Restoration fund at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Service Information