Mayris Kertscher

Mayris (May) Ann Lind Kertscher of Evans, GA passed away on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at the age of 83. She was born on November 23, 1941, in Akron, Ohio to Byron Douglas and Ardene Virginia Lind. Mayris was the oldest child of Byron and Ardene and had two younger siblings, Adrienne (A.D.) and Bruce. 

May grew up on a cattle farm in Aurora, Ohio with 60 Black Angus cattle, 13 horses and many sheep, dogs, cats and chickens. May loved her two Basset Hounds and participating in the 4-H club, where she won second place for showmanship of her Black Angus heifer, but she was particularly fond of her horses. May, known to be strong-willed and determined, was the only person in her family who was able to ride the two most unruly horses on the farm, Rocket and Colonel Kennedy. Her work with her horses led her into equestrian competitions, and she competed often during her high school and college years. Under May’s guidance, Rocket, a golden Palomino, became the Ohio State Palomino champion and the United States Palomino Parade champion. These were some of her fondest memories, and for many years she spoke of her time with Rocket in these competitions. 

She graduated from Crestwood High School in 1959 and earned a bachelor’s degree from Kent State University in 1963. After graduating from Kent State, May taught elementary school where her passion for children and talent for engaging them were evident. May loved teaching and was a teacher for twenty-five years.

May met her future husband, Tom Kertscher, on a blind date while Tom was home on leave from the Navy. Tom would often write her love letters from his military station in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. After his tour of duty was complete, they dated for one and a half years and married in Ravenna, Ohio on November 25, 1966. 

They were married for 57 years until Tom’s passing in September 2024. Tom and May had three children, Douglas Richard (born 1968), Laura Kay (born 1969) and Jeffrey Thomas (born 1973). May loved being a mother and found great joy in raising her 3 children. The family enjoyed spending time with grandparents and cousins and particularly delighted in visits to Gobbler’s Knob, the 10-acre estate where May’s parents lived after selling the farm. During her years in Ravenna, May was also an active member of the Ravenna Kappa Sorosis, a social service club that contributed to various local civic organizations.

May’s whole family re-settled in 1980 to suburban Atlanta, eventually settling in Norcross in Gwinnett County. During this time, May taught for many years at Summerour Middle School and Pinckneyville Middle School in Gwinnett County. She eventually retired from teaching and opened a day care in her home in Norcross, which she operated with Tom’s help for several years. May enjoyed socializing, traveling with family and friends, reading, watching movies (she was known for her extensive DVD collection), and spending time with her 10 grandchildren. She was always ready for a game of Uno, Old Maid or Pick-up Sticks and never visited without bringing crafts, treats, and gifts for her much loved grandkids. May would live in Norcross for nearly 40 years.

May and Tom moved to Evans, Georgia in 2020 where they enjoyed spending time with family at the lake, attending soccer games and band concerts for their two grandsons, Eli and Josh, and worshiped at River Rock Church, Visible Church and Redeemer Presbyterian Church. In recent months, May was very passionate about politics and the 2024 presidential election, developed a keen fondness for her two “granddogs”, Pickle and Chip, and became an enthusiastic football fan. May was loved by all who knew her and will be deeply missed.

Mayris is survived by her three children, Douglas (Magdalena) Kertscher, Laura (Andrew) Beeson and Jeffrey (Kristy) Kertscher; 10 grandchildren, Richard, Sara Emily, Isabella, Elijah, Lila, Joshua, Mac, Natalia, Oliver and Jack; and her sister, A.D. McFarland.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 2:00pm at Redeemer Presbyterian Church with Rev. Jeffrey Kertscher officiating. 

The family will receive friends at 1:00pm at Redeemer Church, prior to the service. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation, Ronald McDonald House Augusta, and Redeemer Presbyterian Church of Evans Georgia.