LaVonna Sue (McKinnies) Kerley

LaVonna Sue (McKinnies) Kerley, 79, of Du Quoin Illinois, passed away Saturday evening at Marshall Browning Hospital, May 2, 2026. She was born August 28, 1946 in Herrin, Illinois to Rev. Charles L. and Wilma (Cobb) McKinnies.

LaVonna loved people. She enjoyed cooking and baking. Her specialty was red velvet cake. She held a number of food service jobs throughout the years. She loved being a mother and spending time with her family. She was a Sunday School teacher and was very involved with Ladies’ Ministry at her church, Du Quoin United Pentecostal Church. She married George Ford on September 4, 1964. They had five children: Allen Ford, Timothy Ford, Wendetta Wilson, Shawn Ford, and Jonathan Ford. She later married Robert “Bob” G. Kerley on November 20, 1991 in Paducah, Kentucky.

Survivors include siblings, Chuck McKinnies (Merla), Rev. Dan McKinnies (Karla), sisters-in-law, Marsha McKinnies, and Angie McKinnies and brother-in-law, Edward Hughes, all of Du Quoin, IL; children, Allen Ford (Lois) of Benton,IL, Tim Ford of Du Quoin, IL, Wendetta Wilson of Woodlawn, IL, and Jonathan Ford of Du Quoin, IL; 13 grandchildren, Cory Ford, Autumn Filkins, Jaden Ford, Austin Ford, Dylan Ford, Cameron Ford, Mylee Nearn, Tyler Shaw, Justin Conner, Aimee Kirkendoll, Sierra Ford, Mikayla Ford, and Emily Ford; 18 great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; siblings, Rev. John McKinnies, Connie Hughes, and David McKinnies; one son, Shawn Ford; and one grandson, Tyler Shaw.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, May 7, 2026, at Riggin-Pillatsch & Burke Funeral Home in Carterville, with her brother, Rev. Dan McKinnies officiating. Burial will be in Blairsville Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., Thursday, at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Homebound/Nursing Home Ministry, in care of, Du Quoin UPC, 1311 S. Washington Street, Du Quoin, IL 62832. (Please make checks to Du Quoin UPC).

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