GERALDINE GOLDSBY

Geraldine Goldsby (affectionately known as Gerry) was born to Lula and Will Cottrell in Colt, Arkansas on November 28, 1926.  She fell asleep in death on December 12, 2023, at the age of 97. She is the last of nine siblings which all preceded her in death: Frenchie, Beadie, Rose Bell, Vickie, Shellie, QT, Arnell, and her twin sister Ilene.  The beauty of their family was that they all remained close throughout their lives and were never estranged from one another.  One of the greatest joys was to be with all the Cottrell sisters and listen to all their stories.

Gerry and her twin sister Ilene graduated from Lincoln High School in Arkansas.  She then migrated to Toledo, Ohio, where she lived with her older sister Beadie Hobbs.  There she married Julius Washington and had two beautiful boys, Julius and Gregory.  She then moved to Gary, Indiana, where she lived for many years and had four more children.  After her children were all grown, she married William (Bill) Goldsby, which she claimed was the last love of her life.  He preceded her in death.  She later moved to Rochester Hills, Michigan, where she lived with her twin sister and beloved niece Carolyn Williams, who took such wonderful care of them for several years.  After the death of her twin sister, she moved to California with her daughters.

She was a loving and nurturing mother of six children and their spouses:  Julius (Charlene) Washington; Gregory (Brenda) Washington; Kenny Washington (deceased); Andrea (Johnny) Williams; Diane (Kenny) Willis; Diana (Chuck) Harris; also Denise Anteneh who she loved as her own child.  She will be missed by a host of great-grandchildren, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Gerry loved her family very much.  Although it must have been challenging raising six children on her own, she has often expressed that was the best time of her life.  She also found herself mothering a whole neighborhood of kids in her community of Gary, Indiana.  It was not uncommon to have a home filled with children.  She always said if she had a career, it would have been to be a nurse.  Instead, she spent her years raising her children.  Gerry was a very nurturing person.  If you were sick, she was always trying to find a homeopathic remedy to help. Gerry was also a spiritual person.  As a child she was baptized in the Baptist church.  She later joined St. John’s Lutheran Church in Gary and remained an active member for many years.  Upon moving to California with her daughters she enjoyed studying the Bible and attending the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses with her family there.  She ended her life surrounded by her children.  Thankfully, all her closest relatives made the trip to California to see her before her demise. She was so happy to see everyone.  While bedridden, she received many calls and was able to listen to dear ones sending their love and prayers.  She died knowing that she was dearly loved.

We will all miss Gerry, but thankfully as God’s Word tells us at Revelation 21:4, there will be a time when Jehovah will wipe out every tear from our eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.  All these former things will have passed away.  We have the wonderful hope of seeing our dear Gerry again.

The family of Gerry would like to thank all for their many words and acts of kindness and support shown during this time of sorrow.

“Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out …”    (John 5:28, 29)