Obituary for Geraldine Hall (Perkins)
Geraldine Perkins Hall, known to friends and family as “Jerri.”
On Monday, May 17, 2021, Jerri, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, and best friend passed at the age of 74 years. Jerri will be forever remembered by her best friend ever Daviess Sanders, and her loving and devoted daughters, Rosharon Sellers, Hattie (Warren) McCall, Elizabeth (Anthony) Jones, Audrey (Byron) Alexander, and Repunzle Hall. Jerri will also be remembered by her two brothers (Roosevelt and Melvin [Rose]) and four sisters (Elizabeth [Arthur], Lucy [Charlie], Margaret, and Brenda [Alfred]), her 14 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, as well as nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Hattie and James Perkins, her eldest daughter, Gwendoyln Sellers Brown, five siblings, Emma J. Perkins, Betty J. Perkins, Robert J. Perkins, Timothy J. Perkins, and Charles J. Perkins.
Jerri’s greatest pride and frustration came from raising six beautiful girls into women. She was stern and no nonsense when it came to those girls--she was strict and that was often confused with her being “mean” in the mind of teenage girls. She most authentically expressed her love through words that put the fear of God in you. However, underneath that piercing look she gave, and the imprint left behind from biting her lip that screamed, “you better….” She loved her girls. Hair combed and perfectly groomed with every hidden burn from that straightening comb that she always claimed was hot grease. Whether the cloths were new or passed down from another sibling, she made sure her girls were well dressed. She provided for every need and most of the wants for all her children. She was tough but I can assure you that each woman she raised could tell their own story of gratitude for her.
Jerri was next to the oldest female of twelve siblings—six sisters and five brothers. She was more than a sister to each of her siblings—she was a friend. Indeed, she would and gave out of abundance and lack. There was an undeniable love whether openly expressed in words or through the physical contact (fighting) to defend the honor of a sibling in public. If you dared to mess with one of them, you would be mistaken that you would not have to deal with at least two or more of them…those Perkins.
Jerri was an extremely hard worker. There is not a time that can be recalled that she was not working to better the lives of her children as well as her family and friends. Professionally, she worked as a welder with Ingall’s Shipyard for many years and later worked within the hotel industry before leaving the workforce. Recreationally and perhaps to some degree professionally (you would think), she absolutely loved playing Bingo. She would travel near and far, arrive early for the perfect seat, inhale the thick cloud of smoke with her pork skins and coke by her side to enjoy the thrill that she got from calling “BINGO” with the hidden excitement of winning.
Jerri was her best self when it came to being a true friend. She would literally give and gave her own shirt from her back and her last dollar to family and friends only to wrestle with how to cover her own back and recoup the funds that were rarely returned. That was Jerri! She never seemed to see, or I would have to assume she chose to only see the desires of others before her own. Was she perfect? None of us are, but she represented what it is to be a perfect friend. She was that ride or die kind of friend. The kind you rarely find in this life. If you knew her and considered to be her friend, I am sure you have your own crazy memories of her in that sense.
We will miss you dearly mom, grand mom, great grand, sister, auntie, and friend.
On Monday, May 17, 2021, Jerri, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, and best friend passed at the age of 74 years. Jerri will be forever remembered by her best friend ever Daviess Sanders, and her loving and devoted daughters, Rosharon Sellers, Hattie (Warren) McCall, Elizabeth (Anthony) Jones, Audrey (Byron) Alexander, and Repunzle Hall. Jerri will also be remembered by her two brothers (Roosevelt and Melvin [Rose]) and four sisters (Elizabeth [Arthur], Lucy [Charlie], Margaret, and Brenda [Alfred]), her 14 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, as well as nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Hattie and James Perkins, her eldest daughter, Gwendoyln Sellers Brown, five siblings, Emma J. Perkins, Betty J. Perkins, Robert J. Perkins, Timothy J. Perkins, and Charles J. Perkins.
Jerri’s greatest pride and frustration came from raising six beautiful girls into women. She was stern and no nonsense when it came to those girls--she was strict and that was often confused with her being “mean” in the mind of teenage girls. She most authentically expressed her love through words that put the fear of God in you. However, underneath that piercing look she gave, and the imprint left behind from biting her lip that screamed, “you better….” She loved her girls. Hair combed and perfectly groomed with every hidden burn from that straightening comb that she always claimed was hot grease. Whether the cloths were new or passed down from another sibling, she made sure her girls were well dressed. She provided for every need and most of the wants for all her children. She was tough but I can assure you that each woman she raised could tell their own story of gratitude for her.
Jerri was next to the oldest female of twelve siblings—six sisters and five brothers. She was more than a sister to each of her siblings—she was a friend. Indeed, she would and gave out of abundance and lack. There was an undeniable love whether openly expressed in words or through the physical contact (fighting) to defend the honor of a sibling in public. If you dared to mess with one of them, you would be mistaken that you would not have to deal with at least two or more of them…those Perkins.
Jerri was an extremely hard worker. There is not a time that can be recalled that she was not working to better the lives of her children as well as her family and friends. Professionally, she worked as a welder with Ingall’s Shipyard for many years and later worked within the hotel industry before leaving the workforce. Recreationally and perhaps to some degree professionally (you would think), she absolutely loved playing Bingo. She would travel near and far, arrive early for the perfect seat, inhale the thick cloud of smoke with her pork skins and coke by her side to enjoy the thrill that she got from calling “BINGO” with the hidden excitement of winning.
Jerri was her best self when it came to being a true friend. She would literally give and gave her own shirt from her back and her last dollar to family and friends only to wrestle with how to cover her own back and recoup the funds that were rarely returned. That was Jerri! She never seemed to see, or I would have to assume she chose to only see the desires of others before her own. Was she perfect? None of us are, but she represented what it is to be a perfect friend. She was that ride or die kind of friend. The kind you rarely find in this life. If you knew her and considered to be her friend, I am sure you have your own crazy memories of her in that sense.
We will miss you dearly mom, grand mom, great grand, sister, auntie, and friend.