John and Gerry Longworth's Obituary
John and Gerry Longworth of Collierville, Tennessee, went to be with their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Wednesday, October 4, 2017, which was one day after Gerry’s 75th birthday. They were married 54 years and were inseparable in both life and death. Their commitment to the Lord, to one another, and to their family inspired many.John E. Longworth was born March 22, 1942, in Corbin, Kentucky. He married Gearldine “Gerry” Reid on April 6, 1963. John joined the United States Navy at the age of 17 and proudly served his country for thirty years. He rose through the ranks and retired in 1989 having achieved the rank of Command Master Chief Petty Officer. John was stationed at naval installations in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Pensacola, Florida; Brunswick, Georgia; San Clemente, California; Argentia, Newfoundland, Canada; Coronado, California; Adak, Alaska; and Memphis, TN. He served tours aboard the aircraft carriers USS Essex and USS Kitty Hawk. After retiring from the Navy, John worked briefly as an air traffic controller at Memphis International Airport before serving as a civilian in the Navy Personnel Command for twenty five years. In all, he spent fifty five years in service to his country.John is preceded in death by his parents John W. Longworth and Rebecca Eva Faulkner and his siblings Edith Griffith, Robert Longworth, Charles Longworth, James Longworth, Roy Longworth, Oranell Cupp, and Jacqueline Longworth. He is survived by his sister, Betty Bennett (Ray).Gearldine “Gerry” Reid Longworth was born October 3,1942, in Corbin, Kentucky. Gerry was a supportive military spouse who traveled all over the nation as John served our country. She was a working mother whose career outside the home was at the Navy Exchange and more recently at Regions Mortgage. Upon retirement, she enjoyed spending time with her loving husband, her beloved son, and her precious grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents James Pearl Reid and Rachel Marie Reid. Gerry is survived by her brothers Sonny Reid (Violet), Wayne Reid (Pat), Bruce Reid (Wanda), Joe Reid (Connie), Bob Reid, Carl Reid, and her sisters Donna Lindy, Debbie Moore (Ken), Mary Lou Reid, and Charlotte Grubb (Junior).Both John and Gerry are survived by their son John E. Longworth, Jr. (Sandra) and by their grandchildren Mark Longworth and Katie Pratt (Alex), as well as many nephews and nieces. They were active members of Germantown Baptist Church. Family and friends take great comfort in knowing that the Longworths’ eternity is secure because of their faith in Jesus Christ and the power of His resurrection.Visitation will be Monday, October 9 from 5-7pm in the Riverside Chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home on Poplar Avenue in Memphis. The funeral service will be held Tuesday, October 10 at 11:30 am at Germantown Baptist Church, 9450 Poplar Avenue Germantown, TN. The burial will be at 2pm at the West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, 4000 Forest Hill-Irene Road, Memphis, TN 38125.Memorials may be designated for Germantown Baptist Church’s Global Disciple Making efforts.Arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN 38119 (901)767-8930.You may view tribute slideshow here: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/8HX724465RZSSLL5
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