Daughter of Oral George and Ada Mae (Silvertooth) Kerley Oral Zerah Friend, 73, of Sparta, passed away in her home Monday, Oct. 10, 2005. She was born Aug. 10, 1932, in Norfork, Ark., the daughter of Oral George and Ada Mae (Silvertooth) Kerley. On March 17, 1955, Zerah and Jessie Friend were united in marriage and to this union two daughters were born.
Zerah was a homemaker, a loving mother, a wonderful grandmother and a special friend to many people. She used her caring ability to enjoy her family and friends and promoted good cheer at every opportunity. She also enjoyed cooking, sewing and especially reading.
Zerah was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jessie, in 2003; three brothers and an infant sister.
She is lovingly survived by two daughters, Sheila Holt and husband Doug, of Sparta, and Karen Brown and husband Lale, of Sturkie, Ark.; four grandchildren, Scott Holt, Jeremy Friend and wife Heather, Jason and Justin Brown; one great-grandson, Lane Holt; seven siblings, Georgia Frost, Barbara Bozich, Sharon Goode, Nonda Wassman, Donna Shelley, Gay Lair and Wayne Kerley; several other relatives and many caring friends.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday (today), Oct. 13, in Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ozark, with Pastor Logan Friend officiating. Zerah will be laid to rest beside her husband in Friend Cemetery, Isabella, Mo.
