Keri Lynn Burkholder Marston, 39, passed from the church militant to the church triumphant Friday, April 22, 2022.
She is survived by her husband, Chris, two daughters – Rebecca and Rachael; parents Gerry Reed and Barry Lee Burkholder, Uncle Lee Reed, Aunt Cecille Burkholder; special cousins – Margie (John) Shaw, Dan Kane; in-laws, Dawn and Jimmy Hartman, grandmother in-law, Violet Marston; brothers-in-law – Jason (Katie)Marston, Jonathan (Lauren) Marston and their families; cousins – Pam (Randy) Pletcher, Kim Burkholder, Patty Zink and families.
She was preceded in death by grandparents – Betty and Elvin Reed, Roseanna and Walter Burkholder; cousin, Jeannie Lee Reed Kane; Uncle Stanley Burkholder; father-in-law, G. Michael Marston; grandfather-in-law, Garnett Marston; grandparents-in-law, Gail and O. Graham Sullivan.
Keri grew up in Mechanicsville and the Burkeville/Farmville areas. She graduated high school from Fuqua School in Farmville and received a BA degree with honors in Communication Studies with a focus in Public Relations from James Madison University.
Keri used her education and communication skills working for various United Methodist churches. At the time of her passing she was employed at Shady Grove UMC in Mechanicsville as Director of Communications. Keri served the Virginia Conference as a member and President of the Board of Communications.
Keri’s love of life and people was a powerful witness to her faith. Her smile lit up a room and her laughter, often accompanied by a wink of an eye, was contagious. Her life was a powerful witness of what it means to be Christ to the world.
Among her favorite things were watching her girls dance and allowing their imagination and creativity to flourish. She cherished family time at the beach or on a great roller coaster. Keri was proud of Chris and his accomplishments with the Paralympic triathlon program and his work as an engineer.
