Help Lay Kerry Whitson to Rest

My name is Derrick Whitson. My mother, Kerry Whitson, passed away July 25th, 2024 at 59 years old. She had been living with my sister for some time now. Audrianna (my sister) went to her room to see if she would like some coffee, but didn't hear her snoring this morning. While it was unexpected, unfortunately this is something my sister and I have been fearing since we were children. My mother was diagnosed with HIV in the early 90's (91 or 92). At the time she was only given six months to live. Thankfully with advancements in modern medicine, she was able to not only see us both become adults, but the birth of all of her grandchildren as well. Given the fear and ignorance of the time, and where we lived, life wasn't easy. As soon as an employer found out about my mothers condition, they would find a reason to let her go; this is to say nothing of what would happen in the event a landlord caught wind. Years of this, along with an ever increasing list of health issues, took a toll on my mothers ability to work. Thankfully she was supported by the AIDS task force of Northeast Indiana. There are several christmas' that, had it not been for the kindness of others, my sister and I would have gone without.

My wife and I had a small savings and a credit card that allowed for us to travel back home and manage the after death process. My sister understandably has been distraught. I organized a celebration of life for my mother which took place 07/29/2024. Between our savings and our credit card, this process has totalled over $7000 so far. The funeral home was hoping that my mothers cremation would be assisted by the fact that she had been on Medicaid. The expenses initially would be $2600, with only a fee of $367 to us. Unfortunately, yesterday the funeral director informed me that the state of Ohio does not provide for this assistance and now that entire amount falls to us. I start the Kitsap Fire Academy the first week of September, and our funds are already going to be tight. We again rely on the kindness of others to finally lay this beautiful woman to rest. Anything helps. Here is a link to her Legacy obituary which doubles as my eulogy for her https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/kerry-whitson-obituary?id=55710569. Thank you.

The initial goal of $2600 is exclusively for cremation costs. With any remaining portion to be split between application towards credit card fees, as well as donations to the AIDS task force now known as Northeast Indiana Positive Resource Connection.

https://positiveresourceconnection.org/our-story/