Gerri grew up in Oklahoma City, OK. When she was a teenager she taught herself how to sew when her mother bought her fabric to make a new dress for the dance every Saturday. She held many occupations, first a legal secretary until In 1980 she moved to Texas, and briefly worked as a Realtor. Then she really began her entrepreneurship and opened a home daycare so she could spend as much time as possible with her 5 daughters. She also ran her business Sew Perfect Designs and made many incredible things from clothing, dresses (lots of dresses), curtains, color guard flags, dance uniforms, and even bridesmaid dresses, sometimes from just a hand drawn picture. Her daughters were the best dressed in school for many years. Gerri also loved to travel, snow skiing, and snorkeling. She enjoyed the time spent with her family and pets most of all.

She is survived by her 5 daughters Cynthia Yerby and her husband Rick, Catherine Sourber and husband Don, Jennifer Johnstone and husband Colin, Julie Slief, and Sarah Kowal and her husband Adam. Gerri is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, niece Angela Hernandez and her husband Jose, and cousins Herman Steen and Dan Nunnally. She is preceded in death by Elvis Presley, her parents Everett and Dorthy Shafer, her sister Donna Gessel, and brother Ronald Shafer.

 

Memorial service to be held 11:00 am Friday February 28, 2025, at First Baptist Blue Ridge, 316 Hwy 78 N, Blue Ridge, Texas 75424.