Geraldine “Gerrie” Rosalie Royse

Geraldine “Gerrie” Rosalie Royse, 84, widow of Forrest “Doc” Glen Royse, Jr., died on June 2, 2016 at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, Ky. 

She was born on Oct. 1, 1931 in Galesburg, the daughter of the late Elgin and Mildred Griffith.  She was the sister of the late Eugene Griffith.

She attended grade school at St. Cecilia in Hastings, Neb. and graduated from Cathedral High School in Denver, Colo., in 1949.  She attended Brown’s Business College in Galesburg and retired from Fidelity Federal Savings and Loan after 35 years as Senior Vice President.  She was a charter member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Galesburg, where she served as a Eucharistic Minister.  Gerrie and Doc moved to Lexington in June of 2000.  She later became a resident of Sayre Christian Village, where she served as President of the Resident Council and was very proud of starting a shopping cabinet for residents which has grown into a small convenience store.

She is survived by a son, Michael (Elizabeth) Royse, St. Louis, Mo.; daughter, Kathleen (Jeffrey) Bailey, Richmond, Ky.; sister, Mary Elizabeth O’Connell of Auburn, Ala.; four grandchildren, Stephanie Cox, Cynthia Cooper, Rachel Mettille, and Michael Bailey; and six great-grandchildren.

Gerrie had a smile and a wave for all.  She loved life, friends, and family!

Cremation has been accorded.  Visitation will be noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 11, 2016 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel.  Memorial service will follow at 2 p.m. with Deacon Michael Crummer officiating.  Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery.  Memorial contributions in Gerrie’s name may be made to Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation at www.sjogrens.org.  Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.