Obituaries / LJWorld.com

Obituaries

Geraldine was born January 1, 1931 in Denver, Colorado to Ambert Bill Williams and Hazel Charlene Backman Williams.
She graduated from West High School, Denver, Colorado in 1949. Upon graduation she enlisted in the United States Navy, where she served until her Honorable Discharge on May 27, 1955. In the Navy, she met her future husband, James Wilson Kelley. They were married on March 5, 1955 in Reno, Nevada. The marriage ended in divorced in 1986. They began their life in Denver and, after a few more moves, settled in Paola, Kansas in 1967 to raise their family. Her first priority was her family. She was an active member of the Paola First Presbyterian Church where she had served as a deacon. She was a member of the Paola Country Club. Gerry served on the board of The Friends of the Library. She spent countless hours volunteering in the church’s thrift shop, the library and through the Miami County Hospital Auxiliary. Her loves and joys in her life were her family, friends and, most importantly, her grandchildren. Gerry loved to travel and visited countries all over the world. One of her accomplishments during her life was learning to scuba dive. Her most memorable dive trips were to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and to New Zealand. Her other hobbies include, reading, gardening and playing bridge with her friends.
Gerry is preceded in death by her parents Bill and Hazel Williams, one grandson, Jacob Hamilton, and her brother, Donald B Williams.
She is survived by her children, Shelley and husband Rick Montgomery of Lawrence, KS, Tammie and husband Garry Hamilton of Charlottesville, VA, Timothy Kelley and wife Amy of Paola, KS and Andrew Kelley of Paola, KS and six grandchildren, Caleb Hamilton of Wilmington, NC, Elizabeth Hamilton of Charlottesville, VA, Austen and Alyssa Kelley, John Henry and Annie Mae Kelley, all of Paola, KS. She will be greatly missed by family and friends.
Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 6, 2012 at First Presbyterian Church, 110 E. Peoria St, Paola, KS. Visitation will be 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Wednesday September 5, 2012 at Penwell-Gabel Paola Chapel, 305 N. Pearl St, Paola, KS. Burial will be in Paola Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Friends of the Library, Paola First Presbyterian Church and Hospice Care of Kansas, 15239 W 95 St, Lenexa, KS 66219.
To leave a special message for the family online, please visit www. PenwellGabelPaola.com
Penwell-Gabel Paola Chapel 305 N. Pearl Street Paola, KS 66071 913-294- 2372
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