Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

June 2, 2026

CHARLOTTE – Caring Daughter and Sister, Faithful Wife, Loving Mother, Adoring Grandmother 

Eloise Litaker Kerns was born January 14, 1946 to Charles Hart Litaker, Sr. and Eloise Greenwood Litaker in Charlotte, North Carolina. She died peacefully on June 2, 2026 at home with her family.

Eloise was raised in Charlotte alongside her two older brothers, Charles Jr. and Dan, and graduated from Myers Park High School. Growing up in a family that deeply valued knowledge, she followed in her father’s and brothers’ paths to attend Duke University, graduating in 1968. 

While her future husband, William Patrick Kerns, was completing his graduate studies at North Carolina State University, the two were introduced by Jack and Ware Washam. Eloise and William married on February 15, 1969 at Myers Park United Methodist Church, beginning a beautiful union that lasted for 53 years until William’s passing in 2022.

Eloise was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who worked tirelessly to care for her family and friends. Eloise was sole caregiver for her mother Eloise Greenwood Litaker during the final years of her life, living with her at The Carriage Club and attending to all her needs. 

She was a natural organizer, whether it was moving house without missing a home cooked meal that evening, packing a car trunk at maximum efficiency for a trip to the beach, or balancing the family or business checkbook at the end of each day. She was also very detail oriented, including her interest in proper English grammar, a trait she inherited from her mother.

Eloise loved the beach, having enjoyed many vacations as a child at the family beach house in Myrtle Beach. As an adult, she passed on her love of the beach to her family, spending many happy summers with her husband and children at their vacation home in Ocean Isle Beach.

Eloise valued her friendships over the years, keeping in touch with friends from childhood, college and adulthood. She enjoyed playing bridge monthly with the same group of neighborhood ladies for over thirty years, including occasional trips to Ocean Isle for bridge at the beach. She was an avid reader, enjoyed cooking (especially Southern cuisine) and had a sophisticated palate. 

Eloise is survived by her loving family: her two daughters, Jennifer Eloise Kerns and Katherine Susanna Kerns Hofer, her son-in-law Christian Merriwether Robb Hofer, and her two adored grandchildren, Hadley Elizabeth Greenwood Hofer and John Theodore Kerns Hofer. She is also survived by her brother Daniel Milton Litaker II, as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended family members. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, William Patrick Kerns; her parents, Charles Sr. and Eloise Litaker; her brother Charles and her sisters-in-law, Frances "Joy" Litaker and Linda Fisher Litaker.

A celebration of Eloise’s life will be held in the Francis Chapel of Myers Park United Methodist Church on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at 2:00 PM. The family will receive friends following the service in the second floor lobby. For those unable to attend in person, the service will be livestreamed: http://myersparkumc.org/funerals

Memorials may be offered in memory of Eloise to Myers Park United Methodist Church, 1501 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC 28207 or VIA Health Partners, 7845 Little Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28226.

All flowers should be delivered to the church.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral and Cremation Services, 1321 Berkeley Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com