Geraldine Kelly

Geraldine Joy Kelly was born on Wednesday, January 18, 1950 in Shidler, Oklahoma. Her parents were Robert Obadiah and Rose Marie (Mathes) Baird. Geraldine was surrounded by her loving family in her daughter’s Broken Arrow home, when she passed from this life to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, February 10, 2025 at the age of 75. Jerrie attended Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. Her family moved to El Dorado, Kansas in 1963. She attended El Dorado High School, graduating from there in 1968. Geraldine married Wesley C Briggs, Sr. on January 30, 1970. She then traveled as an Army wife and mother around the United States and the world. The family spent two years stationed in Okinawa, Japan, and another 5 wonderful years stationed at Misawa, Japan. They also spent some time stationed in New Jersey as well. They left the Army and moved to El Dorado, Kansas, in 1982. Geraldine was a faithful wife and mother, always making sure she took care of her family. She was strong and driven, always pursuing new knowledge and adventure. She continued her education in El Dorado at Butler County Community College and became a registered nurse while raising three children. She worked at Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital in El Dorado, Kansas, until 1993 when she moved to Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, to attend Rhema Bible Training College. At that time, she began working at St. John’s Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Because of her hard work and effort, she won the St. John Nursing Excellence Award. After her move to Broken Arrow, she met and married Michael Kelly III. Jerrie was athletic and loved to play sports her entire life. She played on a little league softball team as a youth with her parents coaching her. She continued playing softball in high school and was a tough second base player. She played softball, basketball, and volleyball in Japan. She loved to watch sports which included an activity that her family members were involved in, as well as professional sports. She learned to scuba dive in Okinawa, and played racquetball, tennis and other sports for many years. She loved planning vacations with family and friends. Jerrie loved her children Ginger, Robin, and Wes and treasured the time spent with them and their families. She was very close to her sisters, Nada and Linda. She enjoyed many sister trips and sister vacations with them. She loved family gatherings and gatherings with friends. Above all else, Jerrie loved the Lord. It showed in the way she lived her life. She loved reaching those that were hurting and telling them about Jesus. She would daily pray for every family member. She would pray for her children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren by name, then she would pray for each of her sisters and their children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren, every single one by name. She loved to pray and meditate on The Word. Jerrie went on several mission trips throughout her life. She spent some time ministering at a leprosarium while she lived in Fort Riley, Kansas. Her heart became very passionate about children’s ministry, and she help Good News Club at her house and in different locations in the city she lived in, spending time teaching children about Jesus. Jerrie was the youth leader at the El Dorado Foursquare Church before moving to Broken Arrow. Jerrie also had a nursing home ministry after she moved to Broken Arrow. After she retired, Jerrie joined a prison ministry team and ministered to and mentored incarcerated women. Jerrie spent many of her more recent years enjoying Rhema Bible Church, Sunday Sessions, her School of the Bible class and her much loved granny group. Family to cherish her memories include: Children: Ginger Marie McKee and Michael of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma Wesley Carroll Briggs, Jr. and Carla of West Lafayette, Indiana Grandchildren: Kathryn Rose Cook, Johnathan Robert LaForge, Gabriel Stephen McKee, Sofia Rose Briggs Great-Grandchildren: Abigail Lynn Rae Cook, Annika Alizabeth Marie Cook, Koby Aaron Jax Cook, Adalynn Aisley Roe Cook Siblings: Nada Malone and Linda Ball She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Obadiah and Rose Marie Mathis Baird, husbands, Michael Kelly III and Wesley Carol Briggs, Sr., daughter Robin Joy Briggs, and brothers, Robert (Bob) Obadiah Baird and John Baird

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Geraldine Kelly

January 8, 1950 - February 10, 2025