Geraldine "Gerri" Ward

June 3, 1939 – September 27, 2022

Gerri was raised on a small farm in Lawrence County Arkansas near a little community called Minturn. As a child of a farming family with a sister and two brothers, she learned the value of hard work and the importance of respect for the land. A young woman of 16 years, she married and began her adult life as a Navy wife, first to Albert Lawson and later to Daniel Ward. She served her country as a loving and supportive spouse through two major wars and traveled the country from coast to coast doing whatever was necessary to make a meaningful life. Along the way, she had two children, Gary Dale Lawson, Sr, and Cynthia Diane Weinstein, whom she raised as she moved and worked from base to base. She also gained three stepdaughters; Shelly, Stacey and Christee.  She has enjoyed the blessing of 18 wonderful grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren (with a 26th expected any moment), and 3 great, great grandchildren. When she could be with her family for any event, she was there and loving it.

She was raised in the Christian faith and found the love, support, and many friendships of Decatur Trinity Christian Church in Bartlett to be a blessing through her later years and the death of her husband Dan. It was at Trinity this past Sunday morning that she shared her joy for life before speaking her final words on this earthly journey. Gerri was also comforted by her many friends, acquaintances and family in the Jewish Community and found her spirit often lifted by their gracious and loving acceptance.

Recently, she was enjoying good health and a positive outlook on life. She has been preparing to downsize things by moving into a smaller house and has celebrated her life as she worked through old photos and the memorabilia of a lifetime. One of her later joys was looking forward to the wedding of her granddaughter Shannon as preparations were being made for the big event this December. In the week before her death, she had meaningful visits with many of her children and grandchildren at a couple of joyful events.  I think that her one complaint to St. Peter, as she traveled through those pearly gates, was "couldn't you have waited until after the wedding"?

Rest in Peace, knowing you are loved dearly Mom, Grandma Gerri, Sister, Aunt, friend, and most importantly, Child of God.