My mother's memorial is this Friday here in Craig, Colo, 12pm at Calvary Baptist Church. Here is a tribute to her and her life.
Georgia Joan Hall was born into the Mormon Faith to George T and Sybil D. Cunningham Hall on Dec. 4, 1932 in Salt Lake City, UT. She was born at Holy Cross Hospital. Georgia has one sister Junne Hall Charon (Mel) Saunders of Midvale, UT who survives.
Georgia dropped out of school after 10th grade and eloped to Elko, NV with Jay B Dunn on Dec. 5, 1950. 5 children were born to this union: Margaret (Roque) Thomas of Reno, NV, Samual Dunn and George M. Dunn both of Salt Lake City, UT, James Dunn (Deceased) and Siouxanne Mease of Uganda and Grand Junction, CO. This marriage ended and she married a second time to George A. Herod of Craig, Colorado on September 26, 1960 in Dinosaur (formerly Artesia), CO. She was married to George for 44 years. He preceded her in death on July 3, 2005. To this union 2 children were born: Wendy Herod (Doug) Schneider (Deceased) and George A (Stephanie) Herod of Craig, CO.
Georgia had 20 Grandchildren: Chris (Tseka) Thomas of Sacramento,CA, Allyson (Abe) Delnore of Pittsburg, PA, Dominick (Tishinia) Gomes of Logan, UT, Katie (Joe) Hyatt of Coppares, TX, Justin (Krista) Boganshultz, Terri (Darren) Divinity, Tricia (Daryl) Stewart all of Magna, UT, Maria (Loice) Jeffrey, Billie (Jeremy) Dade, Becky (KT) Morrow and Phillip Hester all of Fruita, CO, Liz (Eli) Stemrich and Crystal (Jesse) Hoisington both of Grand Junction, CO, Amanda (Ty) Ott, Gloria (Phillip) Moore, Jarrod (Amber) Schneider, Spencer, Isabelle and Jory Herod all of Craig, CO.
Georgia also had 44 Great Grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and extended family and distant relatives. Two of her children preceded her in death and though she had a strong faith in God, this affected her deeply and forever changed her health and state of mind.
Georgia found the Lord early in her marriage to George and spent the rest of her adult life trying to lead everyone she knew to the Lord. Her favorite things in life were singing to the Lord, Teaching Sunday School, Working with the Gideon's, Going to the nursing home and help lead church services once a month, hospital visitation. She was also a great prayer warrior and struggled all her adult life trying to make up for the failures and shortcomings of her youth. She served God with her utmost.
Georgia had many career paths beside motherhood. She was a school bus driver for Moffat County for 25 years, legal secretary, security guard, flagger, Avon lady. Georgia loved to hunt, fish, camp, hike, rock hunt, sew, knit, crochet, cook, canning, furniture restoration, and read (especially her Bible). She was a farm/ranch wife and mother and loved living in the country and all that came with it. She learned animal husbandry and did not hesitate to give our horses or livestock injections or oral medicines.
In later years she loved sitting and watching all the old shows on TV and would not hesitate to put off any appointment or miss an event to watch shows like: Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Little House on The Prairie, Touched By An Angel, Doc, or Animal Planet. She also loved all the old classics and Broadway musicals. Georgia could be heard singing show tunes from way back. Georgia was also a hoarder and did not like to throw things away.
In 1972 Georgia went back to High School and completed the last 2 years she missed before. She obtained her diploma in 1972 and stood with her teenage classmates in Cap & Gown and received a standing ovation for her entire class as she walked across to receive it. She would drive her bus route in the morning and take the bus back to the garage, then run over to the school for class. At the end of the day, she left early enough to run back to the garage to pick up the bus to pick up the kids and complete her bus run again. She would then go home, cook supper and then study and do homework for the next day. She pretty much maintained a 3.5-4.0 avg. Her drive and ambition did not stop there. Over the years, Georgia plugged away at College courses and in 2002 she received her Associates Degree in General Studies from Colorado Northwest Community College at age 70. She also walked with her class in cap and gown to receive her degree.
Georgia was a lifetime resident of Craig and a Charter member of Calvary Baptist Church. She was known and loved by many members of the community and never had a cross word for anyone. She always smiled and spoke kindly, even when treated badly.
During her last years, her health failed her and she had numerous medical issues. Pain, Crippling health issues and numerous falls caused her health to steadily decline. On March 14, 2011 at 3:10 AM with her daughter Siouxanne and daughter in law Stephanie curled up with her, Georgia opened her eyes and spoke to heavenly beings, drew a deep contented and peaceful sigh and drew her last earthly breath.
We rejoice in knowing that she has been promote to the kingdom. Her personal faith in the Lord was a cornerstone example to all and were so very thankful that we will be with her in the kingdom when its our turn to enter. Please celebrate with me my mother's life, earthly death and eternal life with Jesus Christ. She will be missed and there will always be a huge hole at her passing but we are so relieved that her earthly pain is over.
Her favorite saying was "This is the day that the Lord has made, Let us rejoice and be glad in it".
Hold on My child, Joy comes in the Morning.....Georgia a child of the King is with her Lord!!
Written by Daughter Siouxanne R Mease
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