Linda Kerley was a beloved member of the Collierville community and a dedicated public servant to the Town of Collierville.
She was the first female Collierville Alderman (1995-1999), she was also the first female Mayor, serving two terms before retiring from public office in 2008.
There were many other firsts that occurred during Mayor Kerley’s career as an elected official in Collierville. Carriage Crossing opened as the first major lifestyle retail center and Highway 385/Nonconnah Parkway expanded.
In an article from the Regional Economist, she was once quoted … “We don’t want to grow just for growth’s sake. We want the right kind of development that can sustain itself in the future.”
“Linda Kerley was dedicated to serving the citizens of Collierville. She pursued her ideas and vision for Collierville with passion and determination. She will be greatly missed by our community,” said Mayor Stan Joyner.
Involvement with the PTA at her son’s school piqued her interest in things about and
around Collierville and was ultimately the launching point of her political career. She was known to often refer to Collierville’s “small town charm, and historic ambience.”
Maureen Fraser, Collierville Vice Mayor, said, “She always gave 150 percent. She had to make some tough decisions and she was never afraid to make them. I learned a lot from Linda and I will truly miss her.”
Kerley considered the employees of the Town as her “extended family” and she has many friends who work at the Town who have very fond memories of her and will miss her dearly.
As Mayor, Linda Kerley coined numerous phrases about how wonderful Collierville is, one of her favorites was, “a bad day in Collierville is better than a good day anywhere else.”
The family has respectfully asked that all inquiries for funeral arrangements be directed to James Lewellen at Collierville Town Hall, at 901-457-2200.
