Geraldine French

Mrs. Geraldine (Brand) French, cherished wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, died Friday, Aug. 26, 2011, at Newport. She was 82 years of age. Mrs. French was born Aug. 17, 1929, at Tuckerman, the daughter of George and Gladys (Parr) Brand, and had lived at Tuckerman her entire life. She was a member of the 1947 graduating class of Tuckerman High School. She was a devoted member of The First United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women, and Arkansas Retired Teachers Association. She had a strong, quiet faith which was evident to those around her. She was very dedicated to her family and delighted in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild. Mrs. French was employed as bookkeeper and cashier at The Famous Cash Store and Leader Department Store in Newport from Sept. 1947 to Jan. 1965. She worked for a short period of time at Citizen's Power and Light in Tuckerman. She went to work in 1972 as a substitute teacher for the Jackson County Schools and then accepted the Elementary Secretary's job in 1978 where she remained until retiring in May 1993. Mrs. French made friends with many children as they walked through her office door and still kept in touch with many of them at the time of her death. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Cindy French on Jan. 12, 2005; and her parents, George and Gladys (Parr) Brand. Mrs. French is survived by her husband of 62 years, Louis French of Tuckerman; one son, Stephen French and daughter-in-law, Anne French of Tuckerman; two granddaughters, Olivia Grace French of Tuckerman, and Kim King of Tuckerman; and one great-grandchild, Evan King. Funeral services will be conducted 10 a.m. Monday at the First United Methodist Church of Tuckerman with Rev. Donald Lewert and Rev. Teddy Rhea officiating. Burial will be at Gracelawn Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, 5 to 7 p.m. at Jackson's Newport Funeral Home. Arrangements by Jackson's Newport Funeral Home. www.jacksonsfh.com.