Geraldine "Geri" Davis

Geraldine “Geri” McGriff Davis, age 82, resident of Columbus, passed away peacefully on November 4, 2021 surrounded by family and friends at Columbus Hospice House. Funeral Mass is scheduled at St. Anne Catholic Church on Monday, November 8, 2021, 10 a.m. with Fr. Robert Schlageter, OFM Conv. officiating. Interment will follow at Parkhill Cemetery. A Wake and Rosary will be held in the Edgewood Hall of Striffler-Hamby, Columbus on Sunday, November 7, 2021, 6 p.m., with the family receiving friends after the Rosary until 8 p.m

Geri was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Lamar Davis and her parents, Everett and Muriel McGriff.

She is survived by her four children - Scott Charles Davis and wife Capri; Danni Leigh Harris and husband William; Charles Forbes Davis and wife Julie; Aimee Elizabeth Davis and wife Jennifer; five grandchildren - Molli Laine Harris, William Corbin Harris and wife Cassidy, Benjamin Charles Davis, Jonathan Winslow Davis and Remi Sawyer Davis; her two brothers - Dr. Everett Corbin Jr. and Faye McGriff and Gene and Saundra McGriff. She was blessed with many nieces and nephews, beloved family friends Bryant and Barbie Perryman, lifelong best friend Judy Howard and favorite grand-puppy Peaches.

Geri was born Oct. 1, 1939 in Ancon, Panama Canal Zone. Her best friend of more than 70 years, Judy Howard, attended Balboa High School in Panama with Geri and said, “She was born to be an artist.” Geri was asked to design all the school programs, yearbooks and events in high school. After graduating from Balboa High School, Geri attended Auburn University where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in architecture and art in 1961.

Geri then moved home to Dothan, Ala., and was hired as the advertising illustrator for The Dothan Eagles newspaper. Later, she accepted a position at Sears and Roebuck in Dothan as the assistant advertising manager. This is where she met Charles, who was in the manager trainee program. And this is where their love story began. Geri and Charles were married on June 21, 1962 in Dothan, AL. Charles later was hired through Sears to become an Allstate agent and he was offered an opportunity to move to Columbus, Ga.

In 1966, Geri and Charles and their babies Scott and Danni moved to the Fountain City. Soon after, babies Chuck and Aimee joined the family. Geri and Charles joined St. Anne Catholic Church in 1966 and were active members throughout the years

It didn’t take long for people to begin to see and experience Geri’s gift for art and education. In 1972, she was the interim chair and lead instructor at Chattahoochee Valley Community College. Two years later, she opened the Green Onion Art School and Gallery. Geri later was the Co-Owner and Director of the Academy of Fine Arts with lifelong friend, Patty Taylor. In 1976, Geri became the chair and art instructor for St. Anne Elementary School and Pacelli High School. She proudly and lovingly taught students her gift of art for the next 20 years. After her tenure at the Catholic schools, Geri taught college students and held adult workshops at the Elizabeth Bradley Turner Center for Continuing Education and the Rankin Arts Center, both of Columbus State University.

Along with her art instruction, Geri was also furthering her own education. She received her masters of science, counseling and development degree from Troy University and received her teacher’s certification in art and internship in counseling and art therapy at The Bradley Center.

Geri also served on numerous boards and committees focused on art education, including serving as chairman of the board of directors and president of the Joseph House Art Gallery; author and designer of the Endangered Wildflowers of Georgia poster, which educated students in Muscogee County schools about threatened wildflowers in the Peach State. Geri was a member of the National Arts Educators Association Georgia Arts Educators Association, National League of American Pen Women of which she was the Georgia State president, signature member of the Georgia Watercolor Society, Watercolor Society of Alabama associate, Mississippi Watercolor Society associate, American Art Therapy associate, Georgia Art Therapy associate, Columbus Artists Guild and Joseph House Art Gallery chairman. Geri served on the Dean’s Advisory Council for the College of Liberal Arts and the board of the Women’s Leadership Institute, both of Auburn University.

Geri designed a poster called “Through These Portals,” which depicts doorways of Auburn University’s more prominent buildings. The doorways were painted as they were constructed in the 1800s. Sales from the posters have been donated to the College of Liberal Arts for student scholarships.

She was a founding member and board advisor for the Bo Bartlett Center and Columbus State University’s Friends of Art.

Geri served on the board of directors of the Gallery on Tenth in Columbus, of which she was a founding member.

Some of Geri’s honors and awards include Georgia Watercolor signature membership, first place at Columbus Artists Guild member exhibition, two original works selected for a Washington, D.C., exhibition by the National League of American Pen Women, Best of Show at the Arts on the River and a Historic Art Poster chosen as a fundraiser for the 1999 Olympics.

One of Geri’s most loved awards was the Sara Spano/Knight-Ridder Top Teacher Award at the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer Page One Awards. She had the amazing gift to teach. If you were lucky to have been a student of hers, you know how she inspired everyone to try their best, look at things in a different light and never say “I can’t.” Her love of teaching and inspiring people was just as respected as her own personal works of art.

Geri was just as devoted and passionate about the love she had for her family. She was happily married for 52 years to the love of her life, Charles. Her four children, Scott, Danni, Chuck and Aimee were the most precious gifts for her. Their Halloween costumes always won first place. They were always a part of Geri’s conversations during art classes. Her deep Catholic faith built a strong foundation of selfless giving for them to live by. But soon, the grandchildren took center stage in her heart. Molli has inherited Geri’s gift of art and adventure. Will and Ben love BIG like their Nanny. Jonathan is a leader and never says “I can’t.” Remi is the free spirit who stole all of Nanny’s snuggles while chasing butterflies and smelling flowers in Nanny’s gardens.

It is well known that Geri also loved her Auburn Tigers; the show “Outlander,” particularly its star, Sam Heughan; learning about her heritage and finding relatives through Ancestry.com; her beach trips with her friends and finding four-leafed clovers.

In August, Geri received the news that she had Stage IV pancreatic cancer. Although devastating to hear, Geri wanted to fight and focus on slowing the spread of the cancer to allow her to spend quality time with family and friends. Over the next several weeks, family, friends and former students reached out to help her. She and her family were overwhelmed by the outpouring of love.

Nov. 4, God called Geri home. She was surrounded by her family holding hands as she made her way back to her beloved Charles. Geri made it very clear to her family and said, “I am not afraid of dying. I just want to spend more time with you.”

Even though Geri was only given a short time to be with us after the diagnosis, her legacy will live on. There are so many wonderful stories about how Geri touched so many lives. A mother who is fearless. A grandmother who is dedicated. A teacher who is inspiring and an artist who is timeless.

Geri's philosophy was that art is a powerful means of communication. That which you cannot put into words, you MUST paint!! Thank you, Geri, for sharing all your God given gifts with us. We know if we look to the sky and see its beauty, you had a hand in it.

Charitable contributions in Geri’s memory may be made to Columbus State University’s Friends of Art or St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School Geri Davis art scholarship fund.

And if you knew Geri, you know how much she loved flowers. So naturally, flowers will not be turned away.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.shcolumbus.com for the Davis family.