GERALDINE EDWARDS RAMSEY SMITH

Geraldine “Gerri” Edwards Ramsey Smith was the eldest child born to Irving and Adell Edwards at 8:40 a.m. on September 21, 1937 in Cheek, TX.
She attended area schools and graduated from Hebert High School in Beaumont, TX, class of 1954. After graduation, Gerri served her country by joining the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) the women’s branch of the United States Army where she was stationed in Germany.
Upon her return to the states, Gerri attended the University of Maryland and earned a bachelor’s degree from Towson University. She later met and married Mickey Ramsey. To this union, she gave birth to a daughter, Ava Adell. The family made their home in Durham, NC. When the union ended, Gerri and Ava moved to Baltimore, MD where she took a position with AT&T. She advanced through the ranks and was promoted into a leadership role as a Design Engineering Supervisor. Geraldine received numerous awards and accolades for her services.
After being transferred to Southwestern Bell division of AT&T, Geraldine was able to return to Beaumont. Upon her return, she was active in the community including being an active member in the League of Women Voters. She volunteered her time to mentor and tutor students in the Texas Alliance of Minority Engineers (TAME) organization to prepare them for college. She especially sought out students having trouble understanding Math and worked with them until they excelled in the subject.
After retiring from Southwestern Bell, Gerri continued her education by obtaining her certification in Education. She taught in the Beaumont Independent School District for nearly 10 years before she retired from teaching.
Gerri enjoyed bowling with her friends in bowling leagues, playing Scrabble and painting. She was an accomplished artist. She loved any activity, which challenged her mind and spirit. She was an active member of West Oakland Baptist Church until she moved; in addition to being involved with the Eastern Star.
Geraldine later found love again, and married James Earl “Jim” Smith of Ellston, IA.  After moving to Iowa, Gerri continued to peruse education and obtained her Masters Degree in Mathematics from the University of Phoenix. She also continued to teach as a substitute teacher until her health prevented her from doing so.
Geraldine was granted her angel wings on June 26, 2020. Her final days were spent surrounded virtually by her family whom she touched in some way throughout her life. Gerri was preceded in death by her daughter, Ava Adell Williams; her parents, Adell and Irving Edwards; three brothers, Irving Edwards, Jr., Walter W. Edwards, and David W. Edwards; and three sisters, Luella Edwards, Gladys Hill, and Carol Jones.
Gerri leaves to cherish her memories, her loving husband, Jim; three step-children Randall Smith, Stuart Smith and Lisha Williams; one grandson, Dominique Antonio (wife) Bates of Virginia Beach, VA; four sisters, Brenda (O’Neal) Ozen, Marva Craig, Glenda Bennett all of Beaumont, TX, and Sandra Edwards of Spring, TX; four brothers, Kenneth (Gloria) Edwards of Apex, NC, Donald Edwards of Port Arthur, TX, Michael (Wanda) Edwards of Kansas City, KS and Robert (JoAnn) Edwards of Kyle, TX; three great-grandchildren; three step-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Gerri’s memory will continue to live on in her family, friends, students and the people whom she influenced.
Graveside services were at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 1, 2020 at the Ellston Cemetery in Ellston, IA.
Officiating were Pastor June Nolte-Davis.
Songs were “Beyond The Sunset”.
Musicians were Gene Bullock and Bill and Sharon Thalman.
Burial was in the Ellston Cemetery in Ellston, IA,
Military Honors were by the Iowa Honor Guard and Emmett Liles American Legion Post 541 of Ellston, IA.
Memorial fund is to the Diagonal Community Schools.