Mrs. Frances Geraldine Grimes

Frances Geraldine Green "Gerri" Grimes passed away peacefully after a long illness on Dec. 15, 2017 at her home in Leesburg, AL. Funeral services will be held 1:30 pm Saturday, December 16, 2017 at Perry Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends from 12:30 to 1:30 pm on Saturday at the funeral home. Gerri was born on February 19, 1936 in Centre, Alabama. Gerri, affectionately known as “Punkin” by her husband, and “Deanie” by her brothers and sisters, was a loving mother, supportive wife, faithful Christian, and consummate homemaker who loved taking care of her family. One of seven children, Gerri spent her childhood on a pretty farm in Centre, AL where she played with her beloved pet dogs. At age eighteen, she married her high-school sweetheart James (Dick) Grimes. Dick and Gerri have been inseparable since their wedding day in 1954. They raised four children together and later on, enjoyed being grandparents. Known by her friends and family as an amateur photographer, Gerri documented family and church-related events, but her specialty was nature photography, where she loved photographing and framing her photos of flowers and butterflies. Though primarily a stay-at-home mom, Gerri was a top regional Avon representative in the 1960s and after completing beauty school in the 1980s opened her own shop, “Gerri’s Styling Salon” where she built a successful business. She loved the interaction with so many people and they enjoyed her help in making them feel more beautiful. Gerri was very involved with her children’s school activities, was an accomplished seamstress, enjoyed gardening and preserving food, and playing with her dog Cinnamon. She was an active member in her Sunday School class at First Baptist Church in Gadsden until she could no longer attend due to health. She and Dick loved backyard cookouts, camping and boating. They built a home on the lake in Southside that Gerri designed before eventually retiring to their current home in the country, where for many years they hosted large family Fourth of July gatherings in the backyard under the pecan tree. Gerri is survived by her husband Dick Grimes of Leesburg, AL; children Kathleen Foster (John Reynolds), Nashville, TN; Richard (Debbie) Grimes, Leesburg, AL; Janet (Briggs) Greene, Ocala, FL; and Deana (Dart) Brown, Pompano Beach, FL. Gerri is also survived by her sister Sue Bunch, and brothers Kenneth Green and Harold (Janice) Green; her sister-in-law Linda Usry and brother-in-law Ed Usry; six grandchildren: Laura, Wesley, Evan, Travis, James and Eden; one great-granddaughter, Emma; and twelve nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by parents Carl Lester and Lucille Foster Green, and three siblings: Winfred Green, Chris Green Ash, and Nell Green Garmon. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Alacare Home Health and Hospice, Gerri’s special caregiver Linda Watts and friends who offered their kindness and support. Please join Gerri’s family to celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Gerri’s memory may be made to the First Baptist Church in Gadsden’s building fund.

Mrs. Frances Geraldine Grimes

February 19, 1936 - December 15, 2017