Geraldine Crow

Edith Geraldine (Gerry) Crow was born in Mt. Ida, Arkansas on August 25, 1923, the only child of Simeon Ketchum and Arizona Grace (Gracie) Walker Ketchum. At 92 on Friday October 23, Gerry’s 10-year trial with dementia came to a blessed and peaceful end at Hospice Home Care. She died with the self-same intentionality and poise she exhibited in life. She is survived by two daughters and one son-in-law, Amelia Walters of Little Rock, Peggy (Arizona) Goodspeed of Destin, Florida and Henry Goodspeed of Little Rock. She leaves behind three granddaughters and their spouses: Piper Goodspeed and Matt Moses of Montclair, New Jersey; Ashley Goodspeed and Shay Scott of Melbourne, Australia; and Elaine and Jeb Lund of Tampa, Florida. Also in Gerry’s progeny are five great grandchildren: Addison and Peyton Goodspeed-Moses of Montclair, New Jersey; Sebastian and Talullah Scott of Melbourne, Australia; and Averell Lund of Tampa, Florida. Gerry had a quick, organized, and encyclopedic mind. Found in her attic were all her report cards grades 1-12 with nary a grade below an A. Methinks she will ace the entrance exams at the Pearly Gates with equal aplomb. Her guiding life principle was JOY – putting Jesus first, others second, and yourself last. Gerry and her husband Clayton owned Clayton’s for Beauty with a salon upstairs and a school of cosmetology downstairs. Clayton was the clowning workhorse; Gerry the receptionist, enforcer and bookkeeper. Clayton was the hair artist, Gerry the heart. She took seriously the mission of giving each patron her “princess hour”. If a woman canceled her appointment due to personal difficulties, Gerry was likely to respond with a card, casserole, or hospital visit. Gerry believed in the power of prayer and in asking for signs for guidance. At a crossroads about retirement, she put the question on the altar and specified need of a clear sign. The beauty shop blew up! So…Gerry and Clayton skedaddled to their next adventure, a farm in Perryville on Harris Break Lake. Kids and grands were always welcome for weekends and holidays. One visit would feature the birth of fuzzy ducklings that waddled in line behind the granddaughters. The next might entail the building of rabbit condominiums. The next time a birthday slumber party complete with hayrides. Or the peach orchard pick-n-can fest. Threaded throughout were communal work, gospel singing, and Gerry’s remarkable cooking from cornmeal- fried brim and okra to baked Alaska. Her encore career included inspirational and autobiographical writing. She won prestigious awards at the Arkansas Writer’s Conferences. Her zenith was publication of Bloom Where You Are Transplanted, lively stories of a city slicker’s adventures in farm life. This telling wouldn’t be complete without the revelation of Gerry’s girly-girl side. In her salad days as a willowy 5’8” beauty, she would add one quality Grace-Kelly-esque item per season: a pair of lizard pumps and matching handbag, a white leather swing coat, a feathered cloche. Her daughters sported Gerry-made frocks for Easter or just-because. Gerry fantasy side was unbridled in the incredible doll clothes revealed on Christmas morning: a hooded leopard coat, a bedazzled white satin and red velvet strapless gown, and skin-tight black satin pants with a jade-jeweled Asian jacket leap to mind. Her life is her legacy – an unfailing triad of persistence, faith, and creativity. Thank you, Gerry. We are all blessed by knowing you. The family requests donations to Hospice Home Care, 2200 S. Bowman Road, Little Rock, AR 72211 in lieu of flowers.