Geraline Kivett Obituary (1927 - 2023)

Margaret Geraline (Gerry) Ellis Kivett, 95, passed away on January 9, 2023 at Trinity Hills Assisted Living in Knoxville, returning to the arms of her loving Savior. Gerry was born on August 10th, 1927 in Knoxville, TN to John and Hannah Ellis. She had three much beloved siblings, who preceded her in death: John Ellis (Edna), Juanita Canupp (John), and baby sister, Pauline. Gerry’s family moved to Rocky Valley, TN when she was a young child and attended New Market Schools. This is where she first met the love of her life, Pat Alton Kivett. Gerry loved learning and graduated from Carson Newman College with a double major in English and Music and was a member of the Acapella Choir. During this time she married her beloved Pat. Theirs was an incredibly happy and blessed marriage that included four daughters: Gail (Mike) Billingsley, Nancy (Greg) Fansler, Barbara (Mike) DeWine, and Teresa (Scott) Boyer. Pat passed away in 1980, Gerry always said that she was looking forward to reuniting with her precious Pat, in Heaven. Widowed at the young age of fifty- two years old, she was often asked if she would marry again - her response was classic Gerry - “Why would I ever want to remarry, when I had the best of the best.” Gerry started teaching at Manley in Morristown and Fairview Elementary, Whittle Springs Middle, Spring Hill Elementary, and Holston Middle School in Knoxville. Throughout her life, she was a dedicated member of McCalla Avenue Baptist Church and Mt. Harmony Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School until she was 88 years old. After her retirement from teaching, she traveled extensively throughout the US and internationally, from kissing the Blarney Stone to being baptized in the Jordan River. She was also an avid University of Tennessee sports fan. Through her marriage to Pat, she became a member of the Kivett family. She is preceded in death by her in-laws:H.C.and Dessie Kivett and Pat’s siblings Lloyd Kivett (Glady) , Lewis Kivett, and Ruby Ashley (Ward). She took great joy and pride in her ten grandchildren: Brad Fansler (Glenna), Stephanie Billingsley Butler, Matt Boyer, Patrick Billingsley (Colin), Spencer Boyer (Beth), Kristin Langdon (Josh), Jennifer Jeffers (Justin), Clint Boyer (Amber), Nikki Buckner (David), and Abby Stridde (Jordan). Gerry, also, had twenty-one great grandchildren that she loved to spoil, and many nieces and nephews that she dearly loved. Gerry had resided at Trinity Hills Assisted Living for the last five years, playing hymns on the piano for many of her friends, participating in all the fun activities they provided, all while receiving excellent care from the staff at Trinity Hills. A private graveside service will be held in Greenwood Cemetery with her grandson Clint Boyer officiating. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Jeffers Funeral Service in Greeneville, TN is in charge of arrangments. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Samaritan’s Purse, (https://www.samaritanspurse.org/ or Samaritan’s Purse PO Box 3000 Boone, NC 28607 Tel: 828.262.1980). Online condolences are welcome through Jeffers Funeral Home, Greenville, TN (https://jeffersmortuary.com/).