Kenneth Homa Mercer

Kenneth Homa Mercer, age 80, of Jefferson City, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, September 16, 2019. He is at peace with his Heavenly Father, Lord, and Savior, and among family and friends. He was born into the Christian family of T.H. and Opal Mercer on August 3, 1939, in Bastrop, Louisiana. He was the youngest of the three children. At age eight, Kenneth became a Christian and at age 15, he began his ministry journey. Kenneth graduated from Bastrop High School, Bastrop Louisiana in May, 1957. He earned a Bachelor's of Arts degree from Louisiana Baptist College in May 1961 and a Master's Degree in Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas in May 1965. Kenneth's 65-year ministry includes Music, Education, Administration, and Youth through Southern Baptist churches in Louisiana, Georgia, Texas and Missouri, including Green County Baptist Association, Springfield, Missouri. Kenneth joined the staff of the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) on November 17, 1977. He retired from MBC after 27 years on December 31, 2004. Kenneth married his high school sweetheart, Verona "Vicki" Slayter on September 3, 1960. They have two daughters: Alison, married to Scott Hall of Bonner Springs, Kan., with two children, Wyatt and Grace. The youngest daughter, Carol, is married to Bob Reiss of Frazeysburg, Ohio. Among Kenneth's many friends were three special people, Saundra Wiser, Bruce Morrison and Roger Hatfield. Kenneth was preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, on June 26, 2007; his parents, Bastrop, La.; his brother, Dr. Charles R. Mercer, Springfield, Mo.; and his sister, June Mercer Welch, Columbia, La. A Remembrance Gathering of family and friends has been scheduled for Saturday, October 5, 2019, at 1 p.m. Visitation will be prior to the Gathering from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. The Visitation and Gathering will be at Concord Baptist Church, 3724 W. Truman Blvd., Jefferson City, Mo. Kenneth will be buried next to his wife at Christ Church Cemetery in Bastrop, La. The family wants to express a special "Thank you" to the following: Dr. James Tritz, Cardiologist; Dr. Kevin A. Lease, Physician; Gennifer Monteer, Central Missouri Home Health and Hospice, formerly SSM Home Health and Hospice; Centertown Baptist Church; and Concord Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial gift to Central Missouri Home Health and Hospice, formerly SSM Home Health and Hospice, at 2505 Mission Drive, Jefferson City, MO, or Centertown Baptist Church, PO Box 98, Centertown MO 65023.