Every once in a while, one encounters an individual whose life was fi lled with so much love and joy that it is evident this person lived a life that was truly blessed. Geraldine “Geri” Davis was one of these people. She spent many years giving and receiving love. A cherished mother, grandmother and friend, Geri lived her life with an open heart and a giving spirit.

The 1930s are a notoriously frightening time in America’s history. After the collapse of the stock market in 1929, the United States found itself facing a time of great change and hardships, but also a time that built strength and perseverance. With Herbert Hoover in the White House, Babe Ruth wowing the world on the baseball fi eld and Mickey Mouse making his fi rst appearance in comic strips, this was a time of many new beginnings. In Battle Creek, Michigan, Ray and Hazel (Broyles) Johnson were preparing their home for the beginning of a new life. On February 20, 1930, the couple delighted in welcoming the birth of their precious daughter, Geraldine. While Hazel stayed home to raise baby Geraldine, Ray earned a living as a machinist.

Geri, as she was called, was a tomboy growing up, and her father’s constant sidekick, especially when he went fi shing. When she was in grade school, Geri contracted polio and had to be treated for six months at Mary Free Bed hospital in Grand Rapids. Luckily, she didn’t have any lasting effects from the disease. In fact, Geri played basketball in high school and was a cheerleader. It was in her sophomore year at Battle Creek High School that Geri met the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Davis. They went on a double date together, though they weren’t each other’s date. However, by the time the evening ended, Geri and Bob were together and their romance quickly blossomed. In fact, Bob told his mother that he met the woman he was going to marry that night. To show it, Bob had a Model A that he had his name printed on the driver’s door and his best friend Russ’s name on the passenger door. However, when Geri came along, Russ’s name was just a memory, for “Geri” was put in its place.

Shortly after graduating from Battle Creek High in the summer of 1948, Geri and Bob were happily married later that year on October 1st. The newlyweds wasted no time in starting a family of their own on St Mary’s Lake in Battle Creek and were blessed with four wonderful children: Linda, Robert Jr., Steve and Jeff. Already an active family, things got a little busier around the Davis household in 1961 when Geri and Bob opened their own business, Modern Tile and Carpet, in Portage. Eventually, the family moved to Portage in 1963, and built a new home in March 1966.

Geri worked in their business doing just about everything. During the early years of the business, Geri worked alongside her husband into the wee hours of the morning as he installed fl ooring, ultimately falling asleep in the corner. Even though she was a major part of the business, it was clear that her main occupation was taking care of her family. A real “super mom”, Geri took a very active role in every phase of her children’s lives, supporting them in their schooling and running them to all their sports events. She was also very protective of them (sometimes to their dismay) and the neighborhood kids knew it and often referred to her as “Joe Louis.” Like many families, money was always tight, but Geri made sure her children never went without, and that Christmas only held great memories for them. Her cooking was defi nitely something her family wouldn’t forget, because it was always delicious, especially her gravy and homemade cookies that never managed to last a day. Geri’s kind, nurturing nature overfl owed to their employees as they were always treated like family.

Geri and Bob were seen by everyone as a team; they were always working together for the common good of their family, and passed on their faith to their children as founding members of the Portage United Church of Christ. Geri and Bob led an active life throughout their retirement too. They were married 25 years before they took their fi rst vacation, and that was only because they won a trip to Hawaii. Later, Bob got his pilot license and they bought a Cessna Cardinal 177, which they enjoyed for several years. On a whim, they would hop in the plane and head somewhere different for dinner. They eventually sold the plane when Bob began to lose his hearing. But that just led the couple to another exciting adventure. They bought a customized Gold Wing touring motorcycle and traveled everywhere together, including to Alaska and Nova Scotia. Geri and Bob enjoyed the company of their friends, the Nelsons and Smiths, on many of their road trips. She had a life-long passion for watching sports on TV, especially the Detroit Tigers and college football. Of particular interest in the past 7 years was watching her granddaughter’s husband, Jason, play professional football. She supported many charities, with a special passion for charities supporting animals and children. Geri was a longtime conservative and Republican, and always loyal to those she loved.

Family was the cornerstone of Geri’s life, and she took great joy in her four children and their spouses, nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Like with her own children, she supported her grandchildren in all their sporting events and was always their #1 fan. She had a special and close relationship with each grandchild, and loved them unconditionally. Geri’s years of dedicated work and care afforded her both a happy place in life, and a family that loved her dearly.

Sadly, Geri broke her hip about three weeks ago and her health quickly went downhill from there. She passed away on Thursday, June 24, 2010, at the age of 80.

Learn more about Geri, view her Life Story fi lm, and share in some refreshments with her family and friends on Tuesday, June 29, from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (375-2900), where services will be held on Wednesday, June 30, at 1:00 p.m. Burial at South Portage Cemetery followed by a reception at the Beacon Club.

Geri was preceded in death by her husband, Bob, in 2006. Surviving are 4 children: Linda (Bill) Becker, Robert Jr. (Lydia) Davis, Steve (Becky) Davis and Jeff (Michele) Davis; 9 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and many special friends. Please visit Geri’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory or photo with her family or sign her online guest book before coming to the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be directed to the St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital or SPCA of Southwest Michigan.