Elias Michael Mike Kerby, 84, died peacefully at his home in Columbus on January 25, 2009. Visitation will be Tuesday, January 27, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at St. Pauls Episcopal Church. Funeral services will be at the church at 3:30 p.m. with interment at Friendship Cemetery afterwards. Mike was born November 7, 1924 in Columbus to the late Michael Kerby and Sadie Bostany Kerby. He attended Franklin Academy, where as a young student he studied trumpet under E.A. Cornelius and became one of the youngest members of the S.D. Lee High School Band. Prior to graduation from Lee High, Mike served as bookkeeper for the Lee High Mirror, the school newspaper, and played tackle on the football team. He was selected as a member of the first Mississippi All-State Band. He was also a member of Theta Kappa Omega, a national high school fraternity. Mike enrolled at Mississippi State University (then Mississippi State College), where he earned a bachelor of science degree in accounting. During his time there he served as business manager of the Reveille yearbook and played in the MSU College Dance Band. He lettered as a guard on MSU Bulldog football team under Coach Allyn McKeen and was named to the 1944 United Press All-American Team- Honorable Mention. He was listed twice in Whos Who in American Colleges and Universities. During his senior year, he was chosen by his peers as Mr. Mississippi State University. As a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, he served as treasurer, vice president and president. After graduation from MSU, Mike returned to Columbus and worked with his father in Mike Kerby and Bro., a family dry goods business. He also served as bookkeeper for the A&P Tea Company. In 1956, he opened a public accounting business, Mike Kerby, CPA. He later became a founding partner in Thomas, Kerby and Brown, where he worked up until a few months prior to his death. He met Bettye Jane Allen, a Gulfport native, while she was attending Mississippi State College for Women. They married in 1952 and shared 56 years together. Mike was a life-long member of St. Pauls Episcopal Church. He served as altar boy and vestryman. He had a special love for the choir, where he sang throughout his life. He was a charter member of the Columbus Mens Chorus, and a member and former treasurer of the Salvation Army Board. He was a former member of the Exchange Club and Columbus Utilities Commission where he served as vice chairman. He also served on the American Red Cross Board and chaired a fund drive for the American Cancer Society. A life-long supporter of the Columbus-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce, he served as president. He was also a past president of the Lowndes County Industrial Development Authority. He was also former treasurer and board member of the Mississippi Society of CPAs. Mike was chosen as king of the Columbus Junior Auxiliary Pilgrimage Pageant in 1985. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Samis Kerby. He is survived by his loving wife and three sons: Michael (Katherine) and Allen (Lisa) of Columbus and Young of Starkville. Also left to cherish his memories are his sisters Leah Kerby of Columbus and Mary (Ookie) Garrison of Scottsdale, Arizona and beloved grandchildren Eli, Mary Douglass, Katherine Maer and Allie Kerby, all of Columbus. Pallbearers will be Si Thomas, Dale Brown, John Davis, John Botes, Jack Allen and Bryan Brown. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to any of the following: Mike and Bettye Jane Kerby Family Sanctuary Memorial Fund or the St. Pauls Choir c/o St. Pauls Episcopal Church 318 College Street Columbus, MS 39701 Salvation Army 2219 Main Street Columbus, MS 39701
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