Geraldine O. Edwards, 93, passed away July 25, 2016 in her home of 65 years in Kennewick, Washington. Jerry, as she was known to family and friends, was born Geraldine Oletha Walker in Linden, Cass County, Texas on August 19, 1922. Throughout her life, Jerry was a fiercely independent woman and dedicated educator. In 1944, working at Kelly field as a civilian, Jerry met her husband, Walter Edwards, who was serving as U.S. Army Air Force flight engineer. At work one day, wearing a brand new dress, she was trying to open a bottle of red ink when Walter walked in and said "Let me do that." True to form, Jerry replied "No, I can do it," and promptly spilled the ink down her dress…a meeting that resulted in 71 years of marriage. Jerry traveled with Walter to meet his family and they were married, in Kennewick, on February 24, 1944. They then returned to Texas, where Jerry stayed until the end of WWII. When Walter left the Air Force they made Kennewick their home. Jerry worked as a bookkeeper and focused on raising her children. In October 1955, she joined Beta Sigma Phi sorority and has been a lifetime member since 1980. She was active in the local Xi Beta Gamma chapter. A devoted community member, she was active in the PTA at both the local and state levels. In the early 1960s, Jerry volunteered as the Director of Christian Education at the new West Highlands Methodist Church. Having dreamed of becoming a teacher, Jerry began teaching at Columbia Basin College in the mid-1960s through funding from the Manpower Development Training Act, a three-year program aimed at retraining workers displaced by new technology. In 1972, she graduated from Walla Walla College with a Bachelor of Science, and went on to achieve her Masters in Education at Oregon State University in 1975. Jerry continued teaching Business Courses at CBC through the 1980's. She was considered a tough teacher, but was much loved and respected by her students. After her retirement she was an active participant in the lives of her extended family. Jerry was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, a brother, her husband, Walter, and her youngest son, Wesley. She is survived by her son Larry (Nery), daughters Cheryl (Walter) Sutherland and Becky (Curtis) Miska, and daughter-in-law Cynthia (Jeff) Kenner. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, Glenda Wintersteen, Terry Edwards, Paul Edwards, Beverly Boltz, Stephany Turner, Fawn Radmanich, Reesa Miller, Le'Roi Edwards, Griffey Edwards, Michael Miska, Steven Miska, Kaitlyn Miska, and as well as eleven great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM, on August 2, 2016 at Desert Lawn Memorial Park, 10th and Union St., Kennewick. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Jerry's name to the Edwards Family Music Scholarship Fund c/o First United Methodist Church, Kennewick. Mueller's Tri-Cities Funeral Home is managing the arrangements.