Geraldine Smith Probert

On April 5, 2024, Geraldine (Gerry) Smith Probert went to be with Jesus. She was born in Atlanta, Georgia on February 4, 1936, and was the youngest of the nine children of Thomas Watson Smith, Sr. and Anna Bradford Anderson Smith. Growing up in the Depression, she “never knew we were poor. There was so much love in our family.” Gerry attended Frank L. Stanton Elementary School and Brown High School. She had many happy memories of swimming and skating at Mozley Park with her friends. After the family moved to East Point, she transferred to Russell High School.

As a teenager, Gerry worked as a “soda jerk” at the West View Pharmacy making 75 cents an hour. After graduation she worked for the Georgia State Department of Labor for two years before moving to the federal government where she worked for the Corps of Engineers, the Post Office Department, and the General Services Administration. In 1978, she started at the Federal Aviation Administration where she stayed until her retirement 15 years later.

On October 20, 1962, Gerry married Bob Probert and they enjoyed 61 happy years together. In 1971 they moved from Atlanta to Lithonia, Georgia then in 1998 to Garner, North Carolina. Gerry often accompanied Bob on business trips and after retirement they took several trips to Europe.

Gerry was devoted to her siblings and loved getting together with them and their families. For many years she hosted everyone for Christmas dinner. A crowd of 20, including 4 generations, would gather for a potluck meal and gift exchange. Everybody loved Gerry’s dressing, made from her mama’s recipe.

Gerry always said, “There’s nothing better than good friends,” and she had some wonderful ones. Gerry treasured her friendship with Joanne Weaver, a friend from kindergarten; Martha Laurence, from her years at GSA; and her co-workers from FAA. All these special women loved and supported her through the ups and downs of everyday life and especially during the months of her illness. Their cards and phone calls buoyed her spirits and reminded her how much she was loved.

Gerry’s greatest loves were her daughter, Julie Anne; “favorite son-in-law”, Bill; and her precious grandchildren, Jason and Marie, who called her Mimi. When Jason and Marie were little, Mimi treated them to playtime at the park, picnics in the backyard, and messy cooking experiments. She made Halloween costumes each year and the “big breakfast” every time they spent the night. Mimi’s house was the place where they could play and goof off to their hearts’ content, where they could be creative, make believe, and tell stories. As they got older, Mimi filmed every important occasion in their lives from presentations and graduations to chorus concerts and ball games -- lots and lots of basketball games. She was always so proud of them and loved hearing about their accomplishments and adventures.

Waiting to welcome Gerry are her parents; her brothers Richard, Tom, Harry, Les, and Harold; and her sisters Marge, Helen, and Frances. What a reunion that will be!

She is survived by her husband, Bob; daughter, Julie Anne Thompson; favorite son-in-law, Bill Thompson; grandson Jason Thompson and his wife Lindsey; and her granddaughter Marie. She is also survived by nephews Rich, Ted, James, Tom, and Jeff Smith; nieces Lisa Rhodes, Felesha Austin, and Jill Parker; and several great nephews and nieces.

Gerry and her family would like to thank the caregivers (angels, really) who journeyed with us these last seven months: Sara, Michelle, and the wonderful people at Transitions Life Care, especially Cheryl. Their love, faith, and support gave us strength and comfort.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 3:30 pm at Garner Church of Christ, 1364 Benson Road, Garner, NC 27529. In lieu of flowers please consider a contribution to the Bible Broadcasting Network (bbn1.bbnradio.org/english/donate/) or Transitions LifeCare (Transitions LifeCare, Philanthropy Dept., 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607, transitionslifecare.org/donate)