Geraldine "Jeri" Church, beloved mother, MeeMaw and friend, passed away peacefully on December 29, 2023, at the age of 96 in Tyler, Texas.
Jeri was born in El Paso, Texas, to Floyd and Allie Mings. After graduating from Ysleta High School, she continued her studies at Abilene Christian College, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business. While at ACC, she met and later married Jerry Church of Oak Grove, Missouri. Since they both went by the name Jerry, family members referred to them as “Jerry boy” and “Jeri girl.” They lived in Lubbock, Texas, Ft. Wayne, Indiana, Syracuse, New York, Schenectady, New York and Owensboro, Kentucky before settling in Richardson, Texas where Jerry worked for Texas Instruments as an electrical engineer and Jeri dedicated herself to family, raising their son and two daughters.
Jeri's faith and love for Bible study provided a foundation for her life. She was a long-time member of Waterview Church of Christ in Richardson, Texas and later the Shiloh Road Church of Christ in Tyler, Texas. Throughout her life, even to the end, she was known for her sweet nature and kindness to all around her.
In her later years, she took up oil painting, creating many paintings that remain as family treasures. Jeri loved flowers and enjoyed being part of a garden club and arranging flowers. She also worked for a time at a florist. She enjoyed playing games with family and friends. An avid researcher, Jeri read and studied throughout her life.
Jeri is survived by her children, Don Church and wife, Ellen of Corsicana, Texas, Diane Litton and husband, David of Tyler, Texas, and Jan Hart and husband, Kent of Tyler, Texas; 11 grandchildren, Adrian Church and wife, Shelly, Austin Church, Britton Church and wife, Beth, Colton Church and wife, Adria, Lana Page and husband, Doug, Larissa Smith and husband, Kyle, Briana Singleton and husband, Justin, Kason Hart and wife, Hannah, Korey Hart and wife, Chelsea, Keaton Hart and wife, Alexis, and Kolby Hart and wife, Tatum; 23 great grandchildren, Bennett Church, Ellery Church, Caleb Church, Lillian Church, Adleigh Church, Emberlynn Church, Elijah Church, Eilee Church, Eden Church, Drew Page, Allie Page, Aaron Page, Alivia Page, Shaye Smith, Cora Smith, Aria Smith, Jase Singleton, Emma Singleton, Lucy Singleton, Knox Hart, Kobe Hart, Emmett Hart, and Stafford Hart; and a host of other loving family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brother, Bobby Mings.
The family will receive friends during a visitation on Sunday, January 7, 2024, from 1-3 p.m. at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen,Texas. A burial will follow at 3:30 at the same location.
A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, January 13, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Shiloh Road Church of Christ, 1801 Shiloh Road, Tyler, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Project Eden, a ministry dedicated to rescuing young girls from trafficking in the Philippines led by Korey and Chelsea Hart, grandson and granddaughter-in-law.
Online https://projectedenmanila.com/donate
Checks payable to MANNA Worldwide Inc. with “Project Eden Philippines” in the memo line.
Mail to: Manna Worldwide
4255 Risinger Rd.
Ft. Worth, TX 76123