GERALDINE JONES WHITNER

Geraldine “Gerry” Jones Whitner, 86, of Haysi, entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, February 17, 2021.

Geraldine Jones was born in Marion, NC on October 21, 1934 to Reuben Elmer and Beulah Blevins Jones. She was the middle child between brothers Harold and Jimmy.

The family moved to Marion, where she grew up and graduated as valedictorian from Marion High School in 1953. She played high school basketball, worked in a local department store after school, and faithfully attended Royal Oak Presbyterian Church, thanks to the gracious love of a church member who picked her up and took her to church each week. It was through that experience that she was introduced to the person and love of Jesus and accepted him as her Savior.

She attended King College in Bristol, Tenn., graduating in 1957 with a degree in mathematics. After graduation, she worked as a mathematician at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Al. It was in Huntsville that she met her husband, John A. Whitner, during a church prison ministry. The two were married on February 22, 1958.

Her shared desire with her husband was to be missionaries for Jesus, and over the first years of their marriage, they prepared for that through serving in their local church and formal seminary study. In 1964, the family moved to Laurens, SC to serve in the Todd Memorial Presbyterian Church, and in 1967, they moved to Haysi, to serve in the Presbyterian churches in Dickenson County. For nearly 53 years, Gerry and John served the Haysi, Bartlick, Sandlick, Big Ridge churches and surrounding communities, sharing the love of Jesus in word and deed. As her and John’s health declined, they moved to Birmingham, Al. at the beginning of 2020 to live with son Steve and his family.

Geraldine was affectionately called “Gerry” by her family and friends, and “Mommaw” by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She attended as many of her family’s events, games, plays, and other activities as she could. She especially enjoyed her grandchildren’s “family productions,” plays the kids created and presented at her home. Her home was always warm and welcoming, a place where the family loved to gather.

Along with her husband, she had a passion for mission work and spreading the good news of Christ. She loved to care for others in any way possible, such as writing a thoughtful card, baking a cake, or praying. She frequently ministered to women in the church and the community, providing rides as she’d been given as a youth, and taking women to conferences where the love of Jesus was taught. For many years she taught GED classes, taking personal interest in her students and ministering to their needs far beyond just teaching classes. She often would arrange celebrations for her students’ achievements.

She filled her home with stories, songs, and abounding love. She had a song for everything, silly to serious, but mostly worship and praise, and would frequently break out singing as situations prompted. One of her favorites was “This is the day that the Lord has made.”

She was a prayer warrior. She was always available to listen to needs and take those to the Lord in prayer. Family and friends alike would ask her to pray, and she would pray with them then, and faithfully continue to lift up their needs in prayer. She spent much time reading and studying God’s word, the Bible.

Her life modeled that of a Proverbs 31 woman where her sons call her blessed and her husband praises her. Her faith and gentle spirit have blessed and will continue to bless her family, and many others, for generations to come.
She was preceded in death by her “Daddy”, Reuben Elmer Jones; her “Momma”, Beulah Blevins Jones, who died of tuberculosis when Gerry was five; her stepmother, Beulah Ham Jones, who raised her as her own after Gerry’s mother’s death; brothers, Harold Jones and Jimmy Jones; daughter Jerri Ann Whitner Henderson and son-in-law Joey Henderson.

She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Reverend John A. Whitner; sons, John R. Whitner (Deana) of Haysi, Rick Whitner (Vickie) of Blacksburg and Steve Whitner (Tracy) of Birmingham, Al.; daughter-in-law, Becky Henderson of Waterloo, SC; grandchildren, Richard (Kim), Mandy (Jon), Candace, Faith (Michael), Stephanie, Carrie, Jerri (fiancée Blake), Michael (Kathy), Addison, Rachel, Ruth, Joseph, and Grace; great-grandchildren, Tori, Tyler, and Tess and numerous extended family members and friends.

Graveside funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, February 21, at Round Hill Cemetery in Marion. Due to current circumstances with the pandemic, attendance was limited to extended family. Family were asked to meet at the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be sent to Bartlick Presbyterian Church, 152 Caudle Lane, Haysi, VA 24256. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com.

Bradley’s Funeral Home of Marion is serving the Whitner Family.