Verla Gerdes

Verla E. Gerdes, 85, of Jonesboro, died Friday at her home of natural causes.

Born January 31, 1924, in Lafe, Mrs. Gerdes lived most of her life in Jonesboro. She was a retired school teacher, having taught 31 years in northeast Arkansas. She was a member of the Baptist Church and was preceded in death by her husband, Marion Gerdes, and her parents: Odie and MazieRudisaille Huckabay.

Survivors include her daughter, Sanda Greene of Jonesboro; 2 sons and daughter-in-law: Dr. Kenneth and Betty Gerdes of St. Louis, and Terry Gerdes;

3 brothers and sisters-in-law: David and Bertha Huckabay of Paragould, Bill and Annette Huckabay of Lafe, and Odie Huckabay, Jr. of Sanger, California;

6 grandchildren and their spouses: Kristin and Todd Reed, Ashley and Kelsey Keller, Casey Greene, and Jodi Greene, all of Jonesboro, and Terri Sue and Daryl Cook of Pearl, Mississippi, and Keith and Robin Gerdes of Sarasota, Florida; and

7 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:00 in Emerson Memorial Chapel with Daryl Cook officiating. Burial will follow in Greene County Memorial Gardens in Paragould.

Active pallbearers include: Casey Greene, Kelsey Keller, Todd Reed, Keith Gerdes, Sammy Copeland and J.D. Yates.

Honorary pallbearers include her wonderful doctor who went above and beyond: Dr. Jim Murrey, her neighbors who were so good to watch over her: Glenda and Sammy Copeland, Don and Pat Arrington and J.D. and Patsy Yates, and her special caregiver, Melba Stooksberry, who stayed in her home with her.

Visitation will be held Sunday afternoon from 1:00-2:00 in Emerson Funeral Home, prior to the service.

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