Commissioner Frances Joyce Kerr

COMMISSIONER FRANCES JOYCE KERR
January 12, 1935 – January 30, 2021

Commissioner Joyce Kerr was the youngest of four children born to Colonel & Mrs. Cornelius (Millie) Knaap in Toronto, Ontario. She entered the Toronto Training College in 1954 from the Mount Dennis Corps as a cadet in the Soul Winners Session. Commissioned in 1955, Joyce served as Assistant Corps Officer at the London Oak Street and Kingsville Corps in Ontario, and then as Corps Officer at Cranbrook and Hazelton in British Columbia.

As a cadet Joyce met and trained with Don Kerr. On June 21, 1957 Joyce and Don married and together were appointed to corps at Sik-E-Dakh (Glen Vowell) and Gitwinksihlkw (Canyon City) in the B.C. North District. Further appointments included corps in Leamington, Woodstock, Winnipeg and Vancouver, followed by divisional leadership appointments in the B.C. South and B.C. North and Yukon Divisions.

In 1983, the Kerr’s were appointed to the Toronto College for Officer Training where Joyce served two years as the Assistant Director of Special Services and then four years as Director of Special Services. In 1989, the Kerr’s were appointed to THQ where Joyce served as the Territorial Secretary for Retired Officers and Seniors.

International leadership followed in 1993 when the Kerr’s relocated to the United Kingdom with the Republic of Ireland Territory and Joyce served as the Territorial Community Services Secretary. Joyce and Don returned to Canada in October 1994 at which time Joyce was appointed as the Territorial President of Women’s Organizations. In all their appointments Joyce loved and appreciated those she served, and served with, in ministry.

Following forty-three years of Officership, in 1998 the Kerr’s retired to Jackson’s Point where Joyce led a thriving collection of women’s ministries for 12 years at Georgina Community Church. In 2014 Joyce and Don relocated to Toronto and the North Toronto Community Church.

Joyce and Don have four children and three grandsons: Beverly, Ken, and Spencer Myrtle, William (Bill) Kerr, Marjory Kerr, and Donna, Rodney, Aidan and James Hiscock.

Commissioner Joyce Kerr was Promoted to Glory from Toronto on January 30, 2021, following a lifetime of faithful service to her Lord and 62 years of marriage with Don.

Please click on the "condolences" tab above where you will find planned tributes from family and friends, and where you can also share your memories of Joyce.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Alzheimer Society (Alzheimer.ca)

Commissioner Joyce Kerr
A favourite Song

Jesus Himself Drew Near,
Author, Brigadier Arch R. Wiggins


I set out a pilgrim sad at heart
To walk a lonely road;
Doubt had marr’d my simple trusting,
Doubt a future ill forbode;
And as I pondered o’er my grief,
My shattered hopes and unbelief,
A Stranger to my soul’s relief,
Drew near and walked with me.

Jesus himself drew near,
When alone on the road,
Oppress’d by my load,
Jesus himself drew near and walked with me.

I deign’d not to raise my drooping eyes,
Nor sought to learn His name,
Tho’ His voice, like heav’nly music,
Set this heart of mine aflame.
He seemed to read my every thought,
To know the pain my fears had wrought.
And with His gentle words He brought
An atmosphere of peace.

Jesus himself drew near,
When alone on the road,
Oppress’d by my load,
Jesus himself drew near and walked with me.


The shadows of evening fell apace,
New dangers lay ahead;
But, with my Companion walking,
I no longer felt their dread.
I begged Him ne’er to quit my side,
With me to constantly abide;
In gracious tones my Lord replied
‘My peace I leave with thee.’

Jesus himself drew near,
When alone on the road,
Oppress’d by my load,
Jesus himself drew near and walked with me.