Ophelia Rosetta Kerl Honoring Her Indomitable Spirit

On September 8, in the year of her choosing, Ophelia Rosetta Roberts Kerl was born in New Iberia, Louisiana – the only child of Henderson Roberts and Jannie Bruton Roberts Macklin. She departed this life on January 23, 2014.

After the death of her father, she and her mother moved to Dallas where she graduated from Booker T. Washington High School and later attended Texas College in Tyler, Texas. She worked as a domestic and licensed nurse’s aide as well as a caterer and seamstress

With her beautifully dramatic alto voice, she joined the choir at Bethel AME Church where she met and married James Monroe (J.M.) Kerl in 1933. Together they sang at church in the Senior Choir and with the community ensemble, the Jubilaires, where they appeared in several productions of Showboat. At home and church, Ophelia and J.M. often sang duets including their favorite, It’s My Desire, and passed this love and appreciation of music down to the Kerl children, Johnny Bradford, Billie Jo and Beverly Ann.

Life with J.M. was filled with some of the happiest times as they raised their children and remained very active in their community. After he departed this life in 1977, Ophelia continued to live a vibrant and exuberant life as she stayed active in church and volunteered in her community with such organizations such as the Visiting Nurses Association, Red Cross, Eastern Stars and the Delta Mothers/Friends.

However, she spent the majority of her time with her grandchildren, who became the center of her world. As an active school grandparent, Ophelia chaperoned field trips, attended PTA meetings and volunteered in the classroom. Her grandchildren knew that she would show up at any time and knew that everyone who came in contact with her would love and respect her just as much as they did.

In the latter part of her life, Ophelia was bedridden, yet she still believed that she was living her best life. The stories she told and the advice she bestowed to all who visited is a true testimony to her wisdom, strength and effervescent spirit.

Ophelia joins her husband, son, mother, father and oldest grandchild, Johnny B. Kerl, Jr. and leaves a host of family and friends to honor and celebrate her spirit: daughters, Billie Kerl Roberts (Alfred, Sr.), Beverly Mitchell-Brooks (Reginald), daughter-in-law Alma Lee Kerl; grandchildren, James Kerl (Jennifer), Karolyn Kerl-Blue, Don Kerl (Sharon), Jocelyn Kerl, Anthony Kerl, Teri Mitchell Porter (Rico), Alfrelynn Roberts, Stacy Mitchell, LaTasha Roberts and Alfred Roberts, Jr.; 15 great-grandchildren, 10 great-great grandchildren (one on the way), a special niece Lena Lane and cousins, Thomas Bruton (Alma), Helen and Melanie Green.

It has been said that a “woman is the full circle and within her is the power to create, nurture and transform” (Diane Mariechild). As the matriarch of the Kerl clan, Ophelia Rosetta Kerl has created, nurtured and transformed the lives of her entire family. And for those of us who remain, we are fortunate to be her legacies and walk proudly knowing she will live in us until we meet her again.