Geralean Eleanor "Gerry" Johnson ⁵

   Cause of her death was renal failure.

My mother was the most talented person I know. She had what I call "Perfect Color." She can match any color that she has ever seen no matter how long ago. After growing up in a florist shop, her floral arranging abilities are legend. She was a wedding specialist. She loved to garden and was happiest when barefoot and out of doors.
She taught herself to play the piano, vibraphone and accordion by ear and had a very good soprano voice. She was the most generous and giving person I have ever known. She dressed "to the nines" on a shoe string budget and looked and acted much younger than her age. Her laughter once heard, was recognizable by all. She shopped in thrift stores and outlets all her life (even before it became popular). She loved clothes, hats, shoes and jewelry. She collected and appreciated beautiful glassware, china and silver.
She learned to drive at a very young age in order to deliver flowers for the family florist shop. She was still, at the age of 88, a very safe and good driver. She still had her original driver's licenses number and was very proud of the fact that the first 5 digits of the 9 digit number are zeros. In the fall of 2008, at the age of 87, she and a friend drove to Northwest Arkansas. She drove every mile to and from and all the way around many of the beautiful mountains. She said she wanted to see the mountains one more time before she died.

The Oklahoman, u.d.
"Gerry Ellen Johnson Celebrates Birthday
In celebration of her eighteenth birth anniversary, Gerry Ellen Johnson was honored by her parents, Mr and Mrs William Grover Johnson, who gave a dinner party in their home, 517 Northwest Twenty-third street, Monday night.
Places were marked for 10 friends of the honoree. A blue and pink color note was used and the centerpiece was of pink rosebuds."

The Oklahoman; 2 Jan 2011
"Geralean Eleanor Harshfield, age 89, died Dec. 31, 2010. She was always known as "Gerry" and later as "Me Maw." She was born Nov. 13, 1921 in Okla. City to William Grover Johnson and Lula Margaret Cunningham.
Being a Daddy's girl, from childhood she learned the flower trade at her father's side in the family owned "Art Flower Shoppe." As a floral designer she excelled and won many prizes in trade shows. After 35 years the business closed in 1955. She then worked in fine jewelry for Swift's Jewelry in Fayetteville, Ark. and John. A. Brown's department store in Okla. City. Flowers, gardening, and jewelry remained her life long passion. She taught herself to play the piano, organ, accordion and vibraphone. Church music, either singing or playing an instrument, was a major part of her life.
She married Marvin S. Ford in 1943. This union brought her only child, La Nell. On July 2, 1960 she married the love of her life, Uriel Lorenzo "U. L." Harshfield. Together they founded Church of the New Life and pastored there for 25 years. She held ministerial papers with World Ministry Fellowship.
She is preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Rolland and a sister, Gwendolyn, a step-son, John Mark Harshfield and her beloved husband, Uriel. She is survived by her daughter, La Nell (Michael) Shores; grandchildren Michael (Twyla) Shores, David Shores, Rachel (Joseph) Ellis; great-grandchildren, Kaytlin, Tad and Madelin Shores, Timberlyn Shores and William, Matthew, Miriam and Samuel Ellis; Step-daughter, Debra (Wayne) Zettlemoyer; Step-grandchildren, Heather (Christian) Portwood and Trinity (Chris) Bilodeau; step-great grandchildren, Caleb, Oliver and Isaac Portwood."

Her funeral was held at Calvary Church of the Nazarene at NW 30th and Rockwell in Bethany. Dr. Hilton Sutton and Rev. Frank Canaday officiated. Music was performed by 2 grandchildren and 1 great grandson. Rachel Shores Ellis sang her favorite hymn, His Eye is on the Sparrow and Rachel and Joseph Ellis sang the duet More than Wonderful, a song that has become a funeral tradition for this family. William Ellis, age 12, played his violin. Michael Shores as part of his barbershop quartet sang Precious Lord Take my Hand.

  Events

• She attended school at Classen High School in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Oklahoma. Leaving school following her sophomore year, she went to work in the family business, "Art Flower Shoppe." ⁷

• She worked as a florist, at her father's shop until 1958 when it closed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Oklahoma. ⁷

• She worked as a fine jewelry buyer and salesperson for Swift's Watch and Jewely in Fayetteville, Arkansas and John. A. Browns in Oklahoma City. ⁷

• She enjoyed shopping, gardening and puttering around her house plants.

• She worked as a pastor's wife at Church of the New Life between 1968 and 1991 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Oklahoma. ⁷

Geralean married Marvin Sherlock Ford, son of Scott Eaves Ford and Nannie R. Beulah Brooks, 4 Nov 1943 in Oklahoma City - Capitol Hill Tabernacle, Oklahoma, Oklahoma.^{1 2 3} The marriage ended in divorce 22 Jan 1948. (Marvin Sherlock Ford was born 1 May 1919 in Roswell, Chaves, New Mexico,^{8 9} died 11 Mar 2001 in Sherman, Grayson, Texas ^{9 10} and was buried in Cedarlawn Memorial Park - Sherman, Grayson, Texas ¹⁰.). The cause of his death was Alzheimer's and congestive heart failure.

  Marriage Events:

• Bridal Celebration: Open house and shower given by Miss Imogene Hardcastle and Miss Claudia Jones, 19 Oct 1943, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Oklahoma. ¹¹

• Bridal Celebration: Luncheon given by Mrs. Russell Cardin, 23 Oct 1943, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Oklahoma. ¹¹

• Bridal Celebration: Shower given by Mrs. F. G. Oakes, 23 Oct 1943, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Oklahoma. ¹²

• Bridal Celebration: Party and shower given by Nellie Van Horn, 25 Oct 1943, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Oklahoma. ¹¹

• They resided at 517 NW 23rd 12 Feb 1945 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Oklahoma. ¹³

• Divorce Petition: Printed in The Oklahoman , 31 Oct 1947, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Oklahoma. ¹⁴

  Marriage Notes:

The witnesses of the marriage were Nolan E. Christian and Nellie Van Horn. Marvin's residence was 529 SW 26th and Geralean's 517 NW 23rd, Oklahoma City, OK. The marriage took place at Capitol Hill Tabernacle, 3815 S. Harvey, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma at 8:00 p.m.

The Oklahoman, 4 Nov 1943, Page 9, Society Section
"Many out of town guests including several members of the bridegroom's family have arrived for the marriage of Miss Geralean Eleanor Johnson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Grover Johnson, 517 NW 23, to Rev. Marvin S. Ford, co-pastor of Capitol Hill Tabernacle, 3815 S Harvey, which will take place at 8 p.m. in the Tabernacle. Rev. J. B. McDonough will officiate, assisted by Rev. William McPherson.
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were hosts Wednesday evening at the rehearsal dinner at their home carrying out an all white bridal motif with chrysanthemums.
Out of town guests included Mrs. Beulah Ford, Fort Worth, mother of the bridegroom: Mrs. W. J. Hinesly, Costa Mesa, Calif, aunt of the bride: Mrs. E. L. Moore, Crane, Texas; Mrs. F. W. Stolte, Waco, Texas and Miss Amelia Reynolds, Fort Worth, sisters of the bridegroom: Charlton McDonald, Dallas: Kelton McDonald, San Diego, Calif, and Mr. and Mrs. Nolan Christian, Clinton.
Many prenuptial courtesies have been extended the couple since the announcement of their engagement and approaching marriage." ^{15 16}

Geralean next married Reverend Uriel Lorenzo "U. L." Harshfield, son of William Barnam Harshfield and Ruby Smith, 2 Jul 1960 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Oklahoma.⁴ (Reverend Uriel Lorenzo "U. L." Harshfield was born 4 Oct 1920 in Delaware, Logan, Arkansas,^{17 18} died 9 Jun 2006 in Oklahoma City - St Anthony's Hospital, Oklahoma, Oklahoma and was buried in Resthaven Memorial Gardens - Oklahoma City, Cleveland, Oklahoma.). The cause of his death was pneumonia and renal failure due to Parkinson's and a weak heart.

  Marriage Events:

• They resided at 1108 E Rogers in El Reno, Canadian, Oklahoma. ⁷

• They resided at 2528 NW 39th Terr in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Oklahoma. ⁷

• They resided at 4604 NW 15th St in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Oklahoma. ⁷

• They resided at 4604 NW 15th St in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Oklahoma. ⁷

  Marriage Notes:

Their marriage was performed by Rev. Walter L. Trumbo, ordained minister of the Pentecostal Church of God, Bethen Church, Inc., 99^th and Classen, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The ceremony was held at the home of the groom's sister, Leonora, 2717 NW 21^st St., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The witnesses were Roy Springer and Oscar V. Stone.