Florence A. Kerns, 82, was born April 14, 1936 in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. She arrived in Kansas City at the age of fifteen after losing her mother. She was then raised by her older brother, Joseph Hickman and his wife Bernice Hickman.

Florence worked hard to achieve her dream of becoming a cosmetologist. She worked at a salon in the inner city. It was at a dance that Florence later met the love of her life, Kenneth Lee Kerns, Sr. They were married in 1954 and raised a family of nine children.

Florence's favorite pastimes in her early years were fishing, hair styling and cooking. She made almost everything from scratch and was one of the best cooks in the world to her family. Later in life she enjoyed babysitting her grandchildren. Florence was especially close to her grandson, Michael and her daughter, Cheryl. They spent more time with her than anyone.

Florence departed this life on June 17, 2018 at Research Medical Center. She was preceded in death by her parents, John Frank Hickman and Callie Willis Hickman; her husband of forty-nine years, Kenneth Lee Kerns, Sr. and nine siblings.

She leaves to cherish her memory: three sons, Kenneth Lee Kerns, Jr. (Sherlisa Wilson) of Raymore, MO, Dwayne Kerns (Melva) of Lee's Summit, MO and Wayne Kerns (Rytina) of South Kansas City, MO; six daughters, Carolyn Lewis (Gary, deceased) of Raymore, MO, Brenda Brown (Dan) of Kansas City, MO, Janice Kerns of South Kansas City, MO, Cheryl Kerns of South Kansas City, MO, Marilyn Frazier (Donald, deceased) of Grandview, MO and Glenda Smith (Harrison, deceased) of St. Louis, MO; one brother, Jesse Hickman; two sisters, Lillie Bell Walters and Ruthie Mae Hickman; and a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives, and friends.

Funeral services Saturday, June 23, 11:00 a.m. at New Vision Christian Church. Interment XII Gates Memorial Gardens. Visitation 9:00-11:00 a.m. at the church. Services conducted by Duane E. Harvey Funeral Directors. Condolences may be shared on our website.