Kerrilyn Symington

Kerrilyn (Corder) Symington, age 70, of McCook, NE, passed away on Saturday, September 29, 2018, at her home surrounded by her children. She was born in Elwood, Nebraska, on January 21, 1948, to Rex and Ardis (Salisbury) Corder. Kerrilyn graduated from Elwood High School in 1966 and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Hastings College in 1970. Kerrilyn was married to John Symington on June 5, 1970. To this union two sons, Chris and Brian, were born. Above all else, Kerrilyn was a loving, devoted and proud mother and grandmother. In her final ten years she was blessed with 6 grandchildren, whom she spoiled without end or apology. Kerrilyn was a lifelong teacher. She loved the art of teaching and interacting on a personal basis with students. She taught for eight years in Lawrence, Nebraska, 11 years in Culbertson, Nebraska, and cherished her role as a tutor to multitudes of kids at her home for more than two decades. Following a car accident in 1989, she lived nearly 30 years as quadriplegic, overcoming numerous obstacles with great perseverance, without limitation in motherhood, and with the love, support and unselfishness of cherished family, friends and caregivers. Her quadriplegia never defined her, but rather, illuminated for others her strength and her faith in God. She remained her parents child to the end, insisting on the brevity of this obituary and never fearing the physical prologues of death. Kerrilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Rex and Ardis. She is survived by: her sons, Chris (Kansas City, KS) and Brian and wife Casey (Kearney, NE); grandchildren, Carter, Hayden, Jenna, Nicholas, Will and Harper; brother, Royce and wife Sharon (Elwood, NE); and sister, Barbara and husband Lowell Gehring (Kearney, NE). Memorials will be dedicated to a trust fund to be established in Kerrilyns name for the education of her grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 4, 2018, from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM at Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel. Family will be present to greet friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Funeral services will be held Friday, October 5, 2018, at 10:30 AM at McCook Christian Church with Pastor Clark Bates officiating. Burial will follow at Elwood Cemetery at 3:00 PM. A reception will follow at the Gosper County Elwood Senior Center. Hermann-Jones Funeral Chapel has been entrusted for the services of Kerrilyn. Visitation Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel Thursday, October 4, 2018 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM 607 Norris Avenue McCook, Nebraska 69001 Family will greet friends from 5:00 PM till 7:00 PM Funeral Service McCook Christian Church Friday, October 5, 2018 10:30 AM 507 West B Street McCook, Nebraska 69001 Graveside Service Elwood Cemetery Friday, October 5, 2018 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM Elwood, NE A reception will follow the committal service at the Gosper County Elwood Senior Center.