Geraldine Davidson Deal

Heaven has opened its gates to welcome Geri Deal, our beautiful, sweet Mother, Grandmother, and “GG” home to be with the Lord.

Geraldine (Geri) Davidson Deal was born November 10, 1937, in Geneva, Alabama. She was predeceased by her husband of fifty-two years, Louie Whit Deal, her father, George Ellis Davidson, mother, Floy Merle Stafford Peoples, and sister, Kathleen Peoples. She is survived by her son, Dr. Roy W. Deal, Lynn Haven, Florida, her daughter, Margo Deal Anderson and son-in-law, Lee Anderson, Jacksonville, Florida, her granddaughter Hilary Frierson Keeley, son-in-law Tom Keeley, and great granddaughters, Lily and Natalie Keeley of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, and her loving companion of many years, Robert “Bob” Gardner, of Lynn Haven. She is also survived by her sisters, Linda Gail Jenkins, Picayune, Mississippi, Cheryl Wilkin, San Diego, California, and Micky Jacobs, Enterprise, Alabama, as well as many nieces and nephews, all who knew her affectionately as “Aunt Geri.”

Her early years were spent in Westville, Florida, and she attended Ponce De Leon School, where she was known for her abilities playing basketball, and where she spent a great deal of time with her grandparents, Cora and William Stafford, before later moving to Panama City.

She married Louie W. Deal, on November 22, 1952, and after living several years in Lynn Haven, Florida , they began a journey of over 30 years with the Corps of Army Engineers in many areas of the United States and abroad. Geri particularly enjoyed the three years spent in Hokkaido, Japan, where she immersed herself in the culture, and was a wonderful ambassador there, forming friendships of a lifetime because of her compassion, her love of learning, and her ability to communicate quickly as she studied Japanese in night classes.

Because she married very young, Geri did not go to college, but was a stay- at- home Mom, making her children and educational opportunity for them one of the most important priorities of her life. She made herself a part of each school her children attended as a room mother, member of the PTA, and began pushing them at an early age, and then never neglecting to tell anyone that her daughter has a Master’s degree, her son is a doctor, and her only granddaughter, an attorney. She also began working as a substitute teacher later in life, and was at Mosley High School almost every day, again, forging friendships and relationships with teachers and students there because of her warmth, her love of young people, and because she discovered another talent she had not realized she possessed, the gift of teaching.

Throughout her life, Geri Deal enjoyed sewing, music of all kinds, reading, dancing, aerobics classes and travel, and she was also known for her wonderful cooking and baking, especially during holidays. Geri was particularly delighted with the boat named after her by her son Roy Deal and companion, Bob Gardner, the GERI D, expeditions to Shell Island, and watching the sunsets with Bob at Marina Bay. She loved going to church, and her personal relationship with the Lord began as a young girl, remaining at the core of her beliefs throughout life.

“Her children arise up, and call her blessed,” a scripture from Proverbs, epitomizing the Mother and Grandmother who was Geri Deal.

The family will receive visitors at Kent Forest Lawn Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 31th, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

The Celebration of her Life will follow at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church, Wednesday, March 31th, at 2:00 p.m. with Father Michael officiating.

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