Gerri Sheffield

Geraldine "Gerri" Sheffield Tupelo - Geraldine Franks Sheffield passed away at the age of ninety-one on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at her home in Tupelo. She was born May 13, 1923 to William Tracy and Luna Duvall Franks. She was born in Guntown, Mississippi and raised in the Unity and Auburn communities. She graduated from Tupelo High School and Hinds Junior College. She met and married Ferrell Lawhon of Verona, Mississippi in 1942 at the marine base in Quantico, Virginia. She gave birth to their son, Andy in 1943. Ferrell was a World War II hero dying in action on Saipan Island. She later married J. V. Sheffield of Itawamba County in April 1949. J. V. had a young son, Johnny, whose mother passed away at a young age. J. V. and Gerri provided a loving, caring home for their two children. Four years later Gerri gave birth to a son, Mike and a year later Bob was born. Gerri was always very involved in the lives of her children. She was active in Boy Scouts and was honored when all four of her sons achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Gerri was employed by the City of Tupelo, working in the Mayor's office, Street Department and City Clerk's office for over thirty years. She was a substitute teacher in the Tupelo School District. She and John owned and operated Circus Skate Center as well as three other previously owned rinks in Tupelo and Corinth. She loved being around all the children and treated them as if they were her own. She enjoyed working at the Tupelo Furniture Market for several years. Upon her retirement, she volunteered for "Friends of The Lee County Library" and The Tupelo Convention and Visitor's Bureau. Gerri was an avid supporter of the Lions Club. She and J. V. traveled extensively going to Lions Club Conventions all over the country. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, attending and serving fifty six years. Gerri and J. V. were married forty years until his passing in September of 1990. In later years, she met and married Donald Ianonne of Tupelo whom she was married to for fifteen years until he passed away. Services will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, October 19, 2014 at the Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors. Burial will follow at Tupelo Memorial Park. Visitation will be 1 until service time Sunday, October 19, 2014 at W. E. Pegues, Tupelo Gerri is survived by her three sons, Andy Lawhon (Barbara) of Tupelo, Mike Sheffield (Angie) of Tupelo and Bob Sheffield (Marilyn) of Winterhaven, FL; ten grandchildren, Leslie Hobson (Blake) of Tupelo, Casey Lawhon of Tupelo, Chris Sheffield of Tupelo, Jason Sheffield (Brandi) of Saltillo, Sam Sheffield (Kristin) of Winterhaven, FL, Cori Swango (Shawn) of Winterhaven, Florida, Melanie Key (Doug) of Kansas City, Mark Sheffield of Branson, MO, Michael Turner (Chasity) of Tupelo and Matt Turner (Jessica) of Tupelo. She had fifteen great-grandchildren, Luke, Kylie and Shelby Hobson, Braden, Evan, Korbin and Kealee Sheffield, Layton Sheffield, Alee and Camryn Swango, Albanie Sheffield, Riley, Jack, Rob and Pearce Turner. She is also survived by her nieces, Becky West of Germantown, TN and Ginger Jones Clegg of Round Rock, TX; her brother-in-law, Ben Jones of Tupelo, daughter-in-law, Linda Sheffield of Branson, MO and a special friend and caregiver, Jan Holt. She was preceded in death by her parents, W. T. and Luna Duvall Franks; her spouses, Ferrell Lawhon, John Verlon Sheffield and Donald Iannone; one sister, Bobbye Franks Jones; her son, John Sheffield and a granddaughter, Cathy Sheffield. Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Chris, Jason and Sam Sheffield, Michael and Matt Turner and great-grandson, Luke Hobson. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to "Friends of The Lee County Library" at 219 North Madison Street, Tupelo, Mississippi, 38804 or the Calvary Baptist Church in Tupelo, Mississippi. Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com .