Geraldine Paxton Anderson, affectionately called \"Grandma Gerry," passed away on January 18, 2016, at the age of ninety-one. She was born November 5, 1924, to Frank and Vie Paxton, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Dear to her heart were her four children and three stepchildren: Stephen B. (Mary) Watkins, Joseph R. (Karen) Watkins, Karla Ann (Michael) Hartle, John K. (Nancy) Watkins, C. Ross (Susan) Anderson, Kaydene (Howard) McIntosh, and Steven J. Anderson. She adored her many grandchildren and great grandchildren and they felt her special love and concern for them. Gerry loved her nieces and nephews and also had many "adopted" family members.
Gerry married Reed A. Watkins in the Salt Lake Temple December 14, 1951. Later divorced. She married Biard E. Anderson in the Salt Lake Temple April 23, 1968. They were set apart to develop and implement the special interest program for single adult members of the LDS Church. Biard and Gerry traveled extensively in Europe, Israel, Russia and South America. Biard passed away on October 2, 1981. Gerry was also preceded in death by her sister Genevieve (Paxton) Rawson and brothers Taft Paxton and C. Tad Paxton; by a brother-in-law Milton L. Rawson and a sister-in-law Maureen Paxton. She is survived by her sister-in-law Penny Paxton.
Gerry blossomed in the country setting of Kanosh, Millard County, Utah. She graduated as Valedictorian from Millard High School in Fillmore, Utah, in 1942. She was a class officer all four years and reigned as a queen of school and county events. From age six through college, she tap danced on many stages.
At Utah State University, Gerry was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority and chosen as an ROTC sponsor. She graduated with honors from the University of Utah in 1948, where she held positions on the staff of The Pen, The University Chronicle and the Utonian Year Book. Gerry was a member of Psi Chi and Omicron Nu Honor Societies. She was an officer in Lamba Delta Sigma.
Gerry's abundant and happy life was highlighted with service and spiritual leadership in her church. She served in several Relief Society and MIA Presidencies in Olympus and University Stakes and was teacher in all the auxiliaries. She was an avid student of the scriptures.
In Granite High School Seminaries, she was often referred to as a "scriptorian" and "my best teacher."
Gerry enjoyed three LDS missions: to Temple Square, to the Eastern States, and to Little Rock, Arkansas. She was a hostess in the Church Office Building and a member of The Book of Mormon Family to Family Committee.
Gerry was called to serve on the Curriculum Writing Committee of the LDS Church. She wrote both Family Home Evening lessons and Visiting Teaching Messages. She contributed articles to the Ensign Magazine and to other publications. Her favorite article was "The Magic of Gratitude."
For over 30 years, Gerry worked in the Heber C. Kimball Family Association. She served as a president, an editor, and a publisher of family histories. Her inspiration and mentor was her cousin, President Spencer W. Kimball.
She served continuously for 11 years in the Salt Lake Temple. Her beautiful, engaging smile and warm personality touched many hearts. This experience was the "grand climax" to Gerry's life.
In the business world, she was an instructor of service representatives for The Mountain States Telephone Company. She worked as an executive secretary for the Utah State Tax Commission, the 49th Street Galleria and The Utah State Health Department. She conducted church history tours to the Eastern States and Canada for James Travels.
Gerry is remembered as a poplar lesson instructor and officer in the Oak Hills Camp of Daughters of Utah Pioneers.
She leaves her large extended family a legacy of love and devotion, her fervent testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and her personal history entitled, "A Life of Celebration."
Gerry's family extends their gratitude to the wonderful staff at Cottonwood Creek Assisted Living where Gerry resided. They are also deeply grateful to CareSource Hospice for the exceptional, sweet and tender care rendered to their precious mother and grandmother at their facility during her last days of mortality.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 11:00 a.m., at the Monument Park 12th Ward Chapel, 2795 Crestview Drive. Viewings will be held Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Larkin Mortuary, 260 East South Temple, and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. prior to services at the Ward. Interment at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.
