Geraldine "Gerry" Marie Schafer Gardner's Obituary
Geraldine “Gerry” Marie Schafer Gardner, 94, passed into heaven on January 5, 2022.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Richard “Dick” Gardner.
She leaves her daughters Beth Nicholson of Birmingham, Alabama and Kris Gardner of Memphis; granddaughters Lauren Nicholson and Susan Atchison (Steve), great grandchildren Elizabeth, Luke, Will, and Benji Atchison, and dear family friends Carl Cummins and Chris Davis, all of Alabama. She also leaves many dear nieces and nephews.
The family thanks Geraldine Cole and Robin Osborne for the wonderful care they provided her. Gerry was the oldest of five daughters of Edwin and Marian Schafer and was preceded in death by her parents and four sisters Marti, Mary, Pat, and Peg, all of Ohio. The Schafer sisters grew up in Columbus, Ohio and were taught to sing by their musical mother, who accompanied them on piano for performances.
Gerry and her husband Dick met in high school and married in 1948 after she graduated from Marietta College in Ohio. She taught school briefly and was a talented and devoted mother and homemaker. Her friend Doris Moody was like another sister to her in Memphis. Gerry’s singing continued in the choir at Mullins United Methodist Church in Memphis where she was a member for over 65 years. She was active in the United Methodist Women, teaching children’s Sunday School, decorating the church, serving on various committees, and being a good friend to her fellow church members. She was given the “Unsung Hero” award by the Methodist Church. She worked with Girl Scouts, joined a square dancing group with her husband, and sang with the Melodears, doing a humorous rendition of “Second Hand Rose”. Gerry valued her friends from their bridge club and her “sewing group”, both of which met together for many years. She enjoyed gardening, painting, sewing, playing golf, card games, and decorating to make everything look beautiful.
She and Dick enjoyed the friendships they made while living at the Village at Germantown in their later years. She was admired for the grace and strength with which she handled life’s challenges. She had a sweet smile, easy laugh, and quick wit until the end. But mostly she will be remembered for her kind and giving heart. She had a gift for making people feel welcomed and loved unconditionally. She and her husband demonstrated the love of Christ in their lifelong selfless service to all those around them. The influence of their faithful, well-lived lives will continue on in their family and friends. Gerry was loved by all who knew her and will be greatly missed.
The funeral service will be held on Sunday, February 13 at 3:00 p.m. at Mullins United Methodist Church, 4 Mendenhall RD, Memphis, TN, 38117. The family will receive relatives and friends following the service at the church.
The burial/committal service will be held on Monday, February 14 at 10:00 a.m. at Memorial Park Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN, 38119.
Memorials may be given to Mullins United Methodist Women Special Missions Fund, Mullins Music Fund, or St Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN, 38119. (901) 767-8930.
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