Geraldien Pearl Roberts

Geraldien, (spelled ien after her loving mother, Adgelien Pearl Brooks) later simplified the spelling to Geraldine. Gerry grew up in the Westport area of KC, MO. She graduated in 1944 from Westport High School. She excelled in shorthand, typing, accounting and bookkeeping.

After high school, she attended Huff College, a secretarial school. She was a secretary in a legal office, a switch board operator for “Ma Bell”, and then worked in the Credit Department in accounting at Gernes Garment Company (Gay Gibson Line). Gerry was known as a “mathematical wiz” in her department. However, her favorite career was being a wife, mother, and homemaker.

Gerry was introduced to Yarnell, a WW2 Navy Veteran and Southwestern Bell employee by her best friends, Patricia “Pat” Sutton(Roberts). At the age of 23, she married the love her life, Yarnell Ross Roberts. They were married September 24th, 1949 at Roanoke Presbyterian Church. They had 2 children, David and Sandra.

Yarnell passed away in 1988, at the age of 62. They had been best friends for 39 years of marriage together.

Gerry lived in Westwood Hills for 62 years of her life. She loved her neighbors and the little English Tudor house. She always called it, “her home”.

Gerry continue keeping busy after losing Yarnell. She loved her garden and flowers, she fished, mushroom hunted, and enjoyed daily walks. She traveled with sister-in-law, Pat Roberts, who was also a widow. She visited all 50 states, and has refrigerator magnets as souvenirs.

Gerry lost her oldest child, David in 2016, in her home. “Losing a child is something you never get over, no matter how old they are. “ He was 62.

Gerry had a wonderful sense of humor and a beautiful smile. Her caregivers and friends always commented on her upbeat attitude and “always a smile on her face.” Even when they knew she was suffering pain, she never complained. She kept her beautiful smile and loving spirit.

She lived at The Forum of Overland Park for the last seven years of her life. The staff and residents in Assisted Living were her adopted family. She loved the people there, and they loved her too!

Geraldine passed peacefully with her daughter by her side. She spent that day listening to Neil Diamond and John Denver music. “Leaving on a Jet Plane” was playing as she crossed over with Angel wings.

She is lovingly remembered by her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; Abner and Adgelien Brooks, her husband Yarnell of 39 years, her son David, 2 brothers John and Robert (Bob), nephew Ron, niece Jody, and other loved ones.

She is survived by; Sandra (Sandy) Shaffer and husband Thomas “Craig” Shaffer, 2 grandsons Robert “Bob” (Erin) Shaffer, Stephen “Steve” (Heidee) Shaffer and 4 great grandchildren, Will and Sam, Julian and Maxine Shaffer. Also sister –in –law Elizabeth “Liz” Brooks of Tennessee. Nephews, nieces, her family in AL at The Forum, along with many friends and neighbors.

Her graveside service will be at DW Newcomer Sons Floral Hills (7000 Blue Ridge BLVD KC MO)on Monday, November 4th, 2024 at 1:00pm. The service will be held in The Garden of Devotion (No 21-4), where she will be laid to rest next to her husband and son, close to her parents and brother and sister – in-law.

If you wish to send flowers, the cemetery requests, “please, NO glass vases”.

Contributions in Geraldine’s honor may be made to The American Heart Association.

Special thanks to all the Staff/Angels in Assisted Living at the Forum of O.P. Also thank to Rachel, Dana and Loretta at Appl Orchard Hospice.