Mary Addie Gilliland Geiger

Mary Addie Gilliland Geiger, 84, died peacefully at home on Friday, April 29, 2011. She was a loving wife, devoted mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother as well as a supportive and inspiring friend. She touched many lives with her unconditional love, caring attention and zest for life.

Born on April 30, 1926 in Cedar Bluff, Mississippi, Mary was the daughter of the late Charles Thomas Gilliland and Lucille Harkins Gilliland. She graduated in 1947 from Mississippi State College for Women with a Bachelor of Science in Bacteriology. She began her career in medical technology in Chattanooga, TN where she met and married her husband John Carlton Geiger. They built their lives together as John worked for IBM and Mary raised their four children. They have been in Raleigh for the past 46 years where Mary was a founding member of Capital Quilters Guild and a long-time member of Trinity Baptist Church. She's best known by her family and friends for her gracious hospitality, holiday and family gatherings, and baby quilts for her grandchildren.

In addition to John, her husband of sixty years, Mary is survived by her children Patricia Geiger of Boone, Margaret Chesson and husband Earl of Chapel Hill, John Carlton Geiger, Jr and wife Barbara of Raleigh, Janie Schaeffer and husband John of Raleigh; nine grandchildren; Elizabeth Hutchison and husband Don; Win, Mary, and Tricia Chesson, Robert and Margaret Geiger, Steven, Richard, and Chris Schaeffer, and four great grandchildren; Nicholas, Oliver, Charles, and Ella Hutchison.

Mary was preceded in death by her brother Charles Gilliland of Macon, MS and sister Billie Gilliland Martin of Okolona, MS. She is survived by her sister Amanda Gilliland Adams of Tupelo, MS and brothers John E. Gilliland of Mathiston, MS and R. Douglas Gilliland of Ackerman, MS.

Family will receive friends on Monday, May 2, 2011 from 11:00 AM -1:00 PM at Mitchell Funeral Home (7209 Glenwood Avenue). Funeral Services will be held in the funeral home chapel at 1:00 PM, officiated by her brother-in-law, Rev. Don Geiger. Burial will be at Raleigh Memorial Park (adjacent to the funeral home), with a reception to follow at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Hospice of Wake County or the charity of one's choice.

Please take a moment to sign the online guestbook to the right.