James Sparger Kenerson

James Kenerson, 83 of Summerville, South Carolina, passed away on Friday, October 24, 2025. 

Jim was born on August 20, 1942, in Washington, D.C. He was the first son and second of four children born to Elizabeth and Vertner Kenerson. 

Jim grew up in Washington, D.C., Greensboro, NC and Raleigh, NC. He was a 1960 graduate of Needham Broughton High School in Raleigh. He attended Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem and served in the US Army from 1964 to 1967, serving at Fort Knox, KY, Fort Sill, OK and the Republic of Korea. After the army, he returned to college and graduated from UNLV, Las Vegas, NV August 1971. He immediately went to work as a US Postal Inspector and during his career served in assignments at Johnson City, TN, Columbia, SC, Greensboro, NC, Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia and Columbia, SC a second time. He retired as a Postal Inspector in 1995.

Jim enjoyed an occasional round of golf, recently very infrequently, genealogy, watching his daughters play soccer, and spending relaxing hours with his grandchildren. 

James is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Kay Preece. 

James is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Tessie, a retired registered nurse and native of the Philippines, his daughters: Tessa Jones (Steve), and Laurel Stello (Nick); loving grandchildren: Catelyn Jones, Owen Stello, and Carson Stello; brother, Charles of Las Vegas, NV; and sister, Nancy Malone of Chattanooga, TN.

Jim will be buried in a private ceremony at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, Columbia, SC.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the individual's favorite children's or veterans' charity. 

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com/. 

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral & Cremation, 869 St. James Avenue, Goose Creek, SC 29445, (843) 553-1511.