Geraldine (Jerry) Tippett, life-long Howard County resident, died at the age of 80, Sunday (Jan. 31, 2010).

Born March 31, 1929, she was the daughter of  George Homer and Ruby Annetta Jennings, in rural Fayette. She was a graduate of Fayette High School.  She married John T. Tippett on May 1, 1948.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years and two children,  Joan and husband, Dennis Wilson, of Liberal, and Allen and wife, Sharon, Tippett, of Greenwood, Mo.;  grandchildren, Jeanette Wilson, Derrek Wilson, Andrea (Tippett) and husband, James Pennell, and Jay and wife, Yamilza Tippett; great grandchildren, Mikayla, Kyle and Kendra Pennell.

She was preceded in death by  two sisters, Vivian (Jennings) Miller and Thelma (Jennings) Cox and one brother, GB Jennings.  A granddaughter, Tracie Denise Wilson also preceded her.  

She was a member of the Fayette First Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School classes and Vacation Bible School.   She assisted at the Mount Zion Baptist Camp in the summers.

Jerry was a homemaker, a Howard County Deputy Sheriff and secretary to Prosecuting Attorney, and receptionist-bookkeeper for Dr. William Shaw Jr.

She enjoyed many activities, fishing and bowling with her husband, quilting, sewing, flower gardening and Bible study.  She cared for family and friends in their illnesses.  She worked in the Fayette Food Pantry.

Jerry was also very active in the Golden Study Club and had just resigned the position of President due to her illness. She was the Missouri Girls Town District Chairman.

Visitation will be Wednesday at 10 a.m.  with the service following at 11 a.m. at Friemonth–Freese Funeral Service in Fayette. Burial will be in Walnut Hill near Armstrong.

Memorials are suggested to Missouri Girls Town (a home for abused girls), Howard County Hospice, First Baptist Church of Fayette, or Mount Zion Camp Building Fund, in care of  the funeral home.