Jeffrey M. Kerns

CHARLESTON -- Jeffrey Michael Kerns, 53 of Charleston, South Carolina, passed away on Thursday, June 23, 2022.  Born on March 16, 1969, in Charleston, WV, Jeff was the son of Martha Rice Kerns and the late Thomas Kerns.  He was preceded in death by his father Thomas Kerns, and he is survived by his mother Martha R. Kerns, wife Lisa M. Kerns, and sons Banks Emory Kerns and Rhys Thomas Kerns, all of Charleston, SC.  He is also survived by his sister Lisa Barrett of Summerville, SC.

Jeff graduated from Wando High School, in 1987 and subsequently attended the University of South Carolina in Columbia where he became a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity before ultimately receiving his B.S. from Liberty University.  Jeff began his career as a police officer for the Mt. Pleasant Police Department prior to beginning a career in sales with Ecolab Inc. out of St. Paul, MN.  He finished his career with B&B Oil out of East Point, GA.  Jeff also served as a member of the Berkeley County Board of Zoning Appeals from 2015 until his passing.

Jeff married his soul mate and the love of his life, Lisa, on September 3, 1994, and they embarked on their faith journey together with a spiritual fervor that glorified the Lord and was the essence of their lives.   Jeff loved his Lighthouse Church family and was a committed Sunday school teacher that renewed himself by growing his students’ faith.

Jeff always had a smile on his face, a joke on his lips, and a meme at his fingertips.  Although everyone will remember Jeff for his sense of humor, selfless service, integrity, and love for others, it was his pride for and commitment to his wife Lisa and two sons Banks and Rhys that will leave his greatest legacy. 

A celebration of life will be held Friday, July 1, 2022, at 11:00 am at Lighthouse Church, 1177 Gregorie Ferry Road, Mount Pleasant, SC 29466.  Family and friends are welcome to attend a reception immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lighthouse Church.

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