Gwenith Lee (Kerns) Piersall went to be with her Lord on August 26, 2025. Gwenith was born on December 15, 1930 in Stillwater, OK to Loren Glenn "Red" Kerns and Roba Mittaline "Mitzi" Kerns. She went through Stillwater schools and graduated from Oklahoma A & M College with a B.S. in Speech and English. She was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, from which she recently received recognition for 75 years of membership. She also earned her Master's Degree in English from The University of Central Oklahoma.


She was married to Irvin (Perc) Piersall, the love of her life, whom she met while at Oklahoma A & M. They spent their married life in Midwest City, OK. She is survived by her beloved children William (Bill) Piersall and his wife Janet of Choctaw, OK, and Roba Kay Smith and her husband John of Stillwater, OK. Her four grandsons were the light of her life: Nathan Smith and wife Katelin of Lenexa, KS; Jacob Piersall and partner Caroline Mastel of WV; Riley Smith and partner Kaylee Mach of Owasso, OK; and Owen Piersall of Choctaw, OK. She was doubly blessed by two great-grandchildren, Charlotte and Jameson Smith.


Gwenith taught at Rose State College for several years and then moved back to Stillwater after the death of her husband, where she taught English at Stillwater High School for 20 years. She was a long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church where she served as Deacon and Elder. She was a charter member of her PEO chapter in Midwest City where she served as President and later joined Chapter U in Stillwater. She served on the Boards of the Sheerar Museum, The Foundation for the Stillwater Library, and Friends of the Library. While in MWC she was a member of The Upper Crust Dinner Club for 40+ years. She was a member of the Serendipity Book Club, DAR for 61 years, and several bridge groups for 70 years. She was an avid reader, traveler, and loved dance and the theater. She maintained friendships made throughout her life.


Gwenith is also survived by her brother Robert Kerns, cousins Deanna Powell and Carol Ann Powell, all of Stillwater, brothers-in-law Robert Piersall and wife Maryann of VA, and Carl Hayes of Laverne, OK, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.


The family wishes to thank everyone who helped love and care for her over the last few years: Bailey Wimer, Karman Legacy Hospice, Cornerstone Caregiving (especially Bailey, Maddi, and Crystal), and the staff and communities of Golden Oaks Village, Legacy Village, and Primrose.


The Celebration of Life will be September 12, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall in Stillwater. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given in her name to:


Town and Gown Community Theater, Attn: Treasurer
P.O. Box 934
Stillwater, OK 74076


P.E.O. Chapter U
5606 W. Creekside Dr.
Stillwater, OK 74074