Published: August 30, 2007 01:35 pm            

GERALDINE BURNHAM DEAVER

GERALDINE BURNHAM DEAVER was born Feb. 17, 1926 in Texarkana to Roy and Jessie Burnham.

Her one brother was christened Lionel, but he was “Bud” to all. Her family moved to Dallas when she was a teenager. She ran around with her brother’s crowd and fell in love with a high school graduate named Tommie Hayes Deaver and married him, shortly after her own graduation, in December of 1945.

She and Tommie moved quite a bit during their first 10 years together. They had two sons: David, born in 1950 and Danny, born in 1952. They spent the next 10 years between Austin, Garland and Tyler. Gerry became quite a good bookkeeper and then an auditor for the State of Texas. She and Tommie settled in Austin and then in 1987 they built their dream home on Eastwood Island in Gun Barrel City near the shores of Cedar Creek Lake, next door to brother Bud and his wife, Cipe. What great times they had together!

In 1995, she and Tommie celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with family and friends at a surprise party. Gerry often talked of the party and what fun it was. When she moved back to Austin in what would be, sadly, the final two months of her life, the corsage was part of her cherished possessions.

They shared wonderful days in Gun Barrel City. Their house was always open to all who dropped in and they especially loved to have their kids and grandkids visit. They found time for card games, noonday onions, a new azalea bush, anyone who had a good story, or a football game. Sometimes they got itchy and took off fishing or on a road trip with Bud and Cipe or Bob and Billie Curtis.

In Gerry, Joanne and Maria had a loving and caring mother-in-law, whom we called “Mom” because, well, that’s what she was. Her grandchildren, Diana, David, Josh, and Jason were loved and cherished by both Gi Gi and Paw Paw. She got to spend her time with her great granddaughter, Gwen.

In a span of just a few years, Gerry lost her brother; sister-in-law, Cipe; and then her beloved Tommie in 2003. She continued to live in the house and stayed active in the Property Owners Association, The Alohas, The Henderson County Republican’s Group and the Red Hat Club. The family is grateful to our mom’s many friends and especially to her niece Barbara Neidenbach and husband Gary, who provided joy and fun to Gerry’s last days in Gun Barrel City.

In Austin, on Aug. 14, 2007, Gerry slipped away and went to join Tommie.

There will be a memorial service at 3 p.m. Sept. 15 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Gun Barrel City. All who knew her are invited to come and share a favorite memory. Gerry loved Vetoni’s. Please join us there after the service from 4:30 - 6 p.m.

Donations may be made to Genesis Hospice in Athens or The American Lung Association.

        

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