Geri Wigtil

Memorial services for Mrs. Vera Geraldine "Geri" Wigtil will be held at 3pm on Saturday, August 2 at Cookeville First Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Dr. Charles McCaskey and Rev. Christian Smith will officiate. The family will receive friends prior to the service, from 2-3pm at the church. The family also invites friends to Geri's home in Cookeville, on Sunday, August 3 from 1-3pm to share memories and express condolences. Geri, born August 2, 1921 in Cookeville, TN to the late Bryan and Sydney McBroom Jenkins, lived a happy, meaningful life and died peacefully in her sleep Monday morning July 28, 2014 at the Life Care Center of Sparta, only seven days shy of her ninety-third birthday. She grew up during the depression, and though times were hard Geri had only cheerful memories of her Cookeville childhood. Later, as a young woman during World War II, Geri met her beloved husband of 62 years, "Wig" Wigtil, in Oak Ridge, TN, while both worked on the Manhattan Project. After the war they moved to Rochester, and then to Brockport, NY where Geri and Wig raised their five lively children. Preferring a busy life, Geri was a Sunday School teacher, girl scout leader, hospital volunteer, vegetable gardener, bird watcher, square dancer, bridge player, and basketball fanatic. Upon retirement Geri and Wig traveled throughout the United States and settled in Cape Canaveral, FL where they shared more than thirty years of sunshine and happy times together. Geri returned to Cookeville upon her husband's death, to live her remaining years close to family. With her sprightly wit and southern charm, Geri won the hearts of all she met and will be sorely missed. She loved her husband, she loved her children, and she was very dearly loved in return. She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Mark and Wendy Wigtil of Washington DC, Brad and Kathy Wigtil of Waco, TX; three daughters and son-in-law, Sydney and Bob Pasternack of Wallingford, PA, Brenda Johnson of Cookeville, and Sandra Sexton of Broadford, Australia; sister-in-law, Elise Jenkins of Cookeville; four grandchildren, David Wigtil, Ben Sexton, Erin Faya (husband Paul), Matt Wigtil (wife Lauren); two great-grandchildren, Quintin and Owen Faya; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Waldron Wigtil; brother, Billy Jenkins; and sister, Betty Hensley. Memorial contributions may be made to Cookeville First Cumberland Presbyterian Church Assistance Fund, 565 East 10th Street Cookeville, TN 38501.