Geraldine Stearns

Geraldine Stearns

Geraldine "Jerry" Stearns, 88, of Jackson died Thursday, Dec. 25, 2008, at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

She was born Feb. 12, 1920, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Luther and Francis Kistner Bridges. She and Charles "Bud" Stearns were married Jan. 25, 1935. He died July 31, 1990.

For the past six months Jerry resided in Edmonds, Wash., with her daughter. She lived in the Fruitland area since 1991 after moving from Quartzsite, Ariz. She was a member of Millersville Baptist Church.

Survivors include two sons, Albert Dean Stearns of North Bend, Ore., Steven Stearns of Larned, Kan.; a daughter, Martha Sue Nerheim of Edmonds, Wash.; a sister, Deana Dillard of East St. Louis, Ill.; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a sister.

A celebration of life service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Millersville Baptist Church, with the Rev. Daniel Hale officiating.

Private burial will be Friday.

McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson was in charge of arrangements.