Geraldine "Gerry" Ashford

Risinger

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IN LOVING MEMORY

Geraldine "Gerry" Ashford Risinger

Dec 17 1928 - Jun 25 2015

Geraldine “Gerry” Ashford Risinger passed away June 25, 2015, at the age of 86. She was born December 17, 1928, in the Slate Shoals Community of Lamar County to Luther James and Lona Francis (Matthews) Ashford. Gerry was a fourth generation native Texan. She was valedictorian of her high school class at the age of 16. In 1948, Gerry earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics from East Texas State University in Commerce, TX and in 1961, she earned a Master’s Degree in early childhood education. Upon completion, she worked for Texas A&M University as a county home demonstration agent in Cooper, TX and Gilmer, Texas. She married James R. Risinger of Lamar County on December 29, 1950, in Powderly, TX. Gerry and James had two daughters Sherri and Vicki. They lived in Canton, TX in the mid 1950's where Gerry taught junior high science at Ben Wheeler. In early 1961, they moved to Cooper, Texas where Gerry taught home economics. In January 1966, they made their final move to McKinney, TX where she continued teaching home economics at McKinney High School. Gerry was the advisor for numerous state and national officers of the Future Homemakers of America. After teaching for thirty-six years, she retired in 1986. Gerry and James were members of First United Methodist Church and Fellowship Class since January 1966. She was an avid traveler, who completed touring fifty states, several European vacations and many cruises. Gerry was a member of the 42 Club and an avid fan of the Texas Rangers and the Dallas Mavericks. She will be remembered as a fine southern cook.

Gerry is survived by her daughters, Sherri White of Richardson, TX and Vicki Risinger West of McKinney, TX; grandchildren, Ashley West of San Antonio, TX, Jeff White and wife Kim of Belton, TX, and Melanie Theissen and husband Bill of Dallas, TX; great-grandchildren, Grace Parker White and Tucker James White of Belton, TX; and nephew, Charles “Bob” Love and wife Shelley of Brandon, MS.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James R. Risinger; parents, Luther James and Lona Ashford; sons-in-laws, Gary D. West and Daryl White; and sister, Jimmie Jeane Ashford Love.

A graveside service will be held 10:30 a.m., Monday, June 29, 2015, at Ridgeview Memorial Park in Allen, TX. A memorial service will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in McKinney, TX. Family and friends are invited to the funeral home at their convenience on Sunday, June 28, 2015 to pay their respects and to sign the register book.

Memorials may be made to United Methodist Committee on Relief / UMCOR at donationhelp@umcor.org or by phone at 1-888-252-6174.

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Memorials

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