Lela Geraldine “Jerry” Long, 88, Adrian, MO died Sunday, December 4, 2011 at Adrian Manor Nursing Home in Adrian, MO, surrounded by her family. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at the Atkinson Chapel in Adrian. Friends may call from 9:30-11:00 a.m. Wednesday at the chapel. Burial will be in Crescent Hill Cemetery, Adrian. Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church Building Fund, Adrian, MO or to Heartland Hospice.
Geraldine was born April 18, 1923 in rural Adrian, the daughter of Carl Thomas and Lula Pearl (Largent) Greer. She was the great-granddaughter of Stephen Gilham, founder of the Gilham addition of the east side of Adrian. She attended McNeal rural country school through elementary years, traveling to attend on horseback. She graduated from Merwin High School in 1941. After graduation, she moved to Kansas City and began studies at College of Commerce. Half-way through her studies, she began working as a bookkeeper at First National Bank in Kansas City. In 1943, she met William Dudley Long, a Navy cadet home on leave to Adrian. They were married on September 1, 1944 in Corpus Christi, Texas. She and Dudley lived in Corpus Christi and Kingsville, Texas while Dudley was in the Navy Air Force. During that time, Geraldine worked as a bookkeeper in retail and at the Kingsville Bank with responsibilities handling accounts from the King Ranch.
She and Dudley moved to the Adrian community in 1947 to a farm 3 ½ miles southwest of Adrian, busy raising cattle and grain. Their daughter, Patricia Ann, was born October 19, 1954. They moved to their home in Adrian in 1981. Geraldine enjoyed collecting antiques, church and community activities, and spending time with family and friends. She was a member of the Adrian United Methodist Church, Penny Saver’s Club, Adrian Garden Club, and Adrian Manor Nursing Home Board.
Geraldine is survived by her daughter, Patricia Pike and husband, Randy, of Adrian; grandson, Dillion Pike and wife, Channing of Adrian; granddaughter, Michelle Pike of Adrian; two great-granddaughters, Isabella Bo Pike and Josephine Harper Pike; nephew, David Bollinger; niece, Jan Bollinger Smitley and husband, Mike; niece, Dee Ann Bollinger Myers; nephew, Harley Greer; nephew, Galen Greer and wife, Sara, and a loving extended family of cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother, Wendell Greer and wife, Ireta; and sister-in-law, Shirley Long Bollinger and husband, Raymond.
