Geraldine (Gerri) Ruth Park Titus met Jesus on Sunday, August 7, 2016, at 8:00 a.m. She was 87 years old. She is survived by her husband of 64 years Robert (Bob) Titus of Lubbock, TX; son Robert (Robbie) W. Titus and his wife Delight of Evansville, AR; daughter Diane L. Smith and husband Clifton of Lubbock, TX; 3 grandchildren, Meagan Gilbert and husband Brandon of Wichita Falls, TX; Barrett Smith of Atlanta, GA; and Tiffany Heatwole and husband Eric of Lubbock, TX; and 3 great-grandchildren Breegan and Michael Gilbert and Aiden Heatwole. Geri was born in Fairbury, Nebraska, on March 5, 1929. Serving God and her family and helping others in the community has been the goal of Gerri throughout her life. Since 1960 she volunteered her service helping internationals that came to Commerce as students or wives of students. She organized classes for international wives and taught them American customs, crafts, cooking, typing, Bible study and sewing. She taught English at no charge. She had the pleasure of helping six Chinese couples get married by organizing their weddings, loaning our daughter’s wedding dress on several occasions, and arranged the receptions. She also did a funeral for an international at the request of the university. Gerri and her husband opened their home temporarily to students looking for a more permanent place to live. Once she cared for a Japanese mother and her new baby for 3 months while her husband looked for a job. They provided host families for students as requested by the international office at ETSU. For almost 20 years, Gerri taught dyslexic children privately after she received her master’s degree in Special Education. She mostly taught after school and during the summer months. She led workshops on dyslexia for teachers in our school district. An active member of the Baptist church, Gerri was always active in women’s missionary work. She was director of the high school girls’ mission organization, a Sunday school teacher and director of the high school Sunday school department. She was a member of the adult choir and ladies bell choir. She served on various committees including Building Steering committee, search committees, and outreach leader of the International Sunday School class. Gerri served a six year term on the Commerce School Board as secretary. She attended every meeting including the Texas Association of School Boards convention in San Antonio. She was active in the American Heart Assn., the local cancer drive, president of the University Dames at ETSU, a member of AAUW, doing Meals on Wheels, and a volunteer of the hospital auxiliary for more than 18 years. She was president of the psychology club and held a charm school for the 8th grade girls which lasted 4 weeks. She was also twice president of the Delphian Club and vice president, secretary and treasurer of Key District, The Federation of Women’s Clubs and on the state board. She was a legal secretary for six years for James Faires, and school secretary for 3 years with A. C. Williams at the middle school. In her early years she enjoyed being a leader of Girl Scouts and a den mother for Cub Scouts. Through the years I have learned what God would have me do for Him and how to trust Him totally and completely. He has always seen me through trials, ups and downs, through good times and bad. He listens when I am in need and never fails me. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Psalms 139 is my favorite Psalm. He will always be my God, my Savior, and my mentor. I am not perfect for I was a sinner saved by grace. I pray that I will be worthy of meeting my Savior when I die. Thank you God for all you have taught me and the many times you have walked beside me. I love you! Memorials are suggested to Hunt Regional Medical Center Auxiliary, P.O. Box 870, Commerce, Texas 75429.

Geraldine (Gerri) Ruth Park Titus met Jesus on Sunday, August 7, 2016, at 8:00 a.m. She was 87 years old. She is survived by her husband of 64 years Robert (Bob) Titus of Lubbock, TX; son Robert (Robbie) W. Titus and his wife Delight of Evansville, AR; daughter Diane L. Smith and husband Clifton of Lubbock, TX; 3 grandchildren, Meagan Gilbert and husband Brandon of Wichita Falls, TX; Barrett Smith of Atlanta, GA; and Tiffany Heatwole and husband Eric of Lubbock, TX; and 3 great-grandchildren Breegan and Michael Gilbert and Aiden Heatwole. Geri was born in Fairbury, Nebraska, on March 5, 1929. Serving God and her family and helping others in the community has been the goal of Gerri throughout her life. Since 1960 she volunteered her service helping internationals that came to Commerce as students or wives of students. She organized classes for international wives and taught them American customs, crafts, cooking, typing, Bible study and sewing. She taught English at no charge. She had the pleasure of helping six Chinese couples get married by organizing their weddings, loaning our daughter’s wedding dress on several occasions, and arranged the receptions. She also did a funeral for an international at the request of the university. Gerri and her husband opened their home temporarily to students looking for a more permanent place to live. Once she cared for a Japanese mother and her new baby for 3 months while her husband looked for a job. They provided host families for students as requested by the international office at ETSU. For almost 20 years, Gerri taught dyslexic children privately after she received her master’s degree in Special Education. She mostly taught after school and during the summer months. She led workshops on dyslexia for teachers in our school district. An active member of the Baptist church, Gerri was always active in women’s missionary work. She was director of the high school girls’ mission organization, a Sunday school teacher and director of the high school Sunday school department. She was a member of the adult choir and ladies bell choir. She served on various committees including Building Steering committee, search committees, and outreach leader of the International Sunday School class. Gerri served a six year term on the Commerce School Board as secretary. She attended every meeting including the Texas Association of School Boards convention in San Antonio. She was active in the American Heart Assn., the local cancer drive, president of the University Dames at ETSU, a member of AAUW, doing Meals on Wheels, and a volunteer of the hospital auxiliary for more than 18 years. She was president of the psychology club and held a charm school for the 8th grade girls which lasted 4 weeks. She was also twice president of the Delphian Club and vice president, secretary and treasurer of Key District, The Federation of Women’s Clubs and on the state board. She was a legal secretary for six years for James Faires, and school secretary for 3 years with A. C. Williams at the middle school. In her early years she enjoyed being a leader of Girl Scouts and a den mother for Cub Scouts. Through the years I have learned what God would have me do for Him and how to trust Him totally and completely. He has always seen me through trials, ups and downs, through good times and bad. He listens when I am in need and never fails me. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Psalms 139 is my favorite Psalm. He will always be my God, my Savior, and my mentor. I am not perfect for I was a sinner saved by grace. I pray that I will be worthy of meeting my Savior when I die. Thank you God for all you have taught me and the many times you have walked beside me. I love you! Memorials are suggested to Hunt Regional Medical Center Auxiliary, P.O. Box 870, Commerce, Texas 75429.