Geraldine Payne West

Geraldine Payne West Lakeland - On August 6, 2015, Geraldine Payne West died, surrounded by family. She was born April 4, 1922 in Louise, Texas to Jessie Mae Heard and Frederick Orin Payne. She will be remembered for her servanthood to all and her love of family and community. She always had a kind thought about people and a quiet way of helping those in need. Growing up on the family ranch, two of her favorite things to do were to barrel race her horse Ole Dun in the rodeo and to go shooting. She graduated as the salutatorian from Louise High School and attended Texas State College for Women for one year before transferring to the University of Texas where she met her future husband Jack. They married upon his return from World War II. Their marriage lasted 65 years until Jack preceded her in death in 2012. Her schooling was interrupted due to World War II and she worked at a defense plant in Houston. After a transfer of Jack""s job to Florida, she spent her life raising their two children and working for various entities to improve life in Lakeland. She volunteered as a Cub Scout and Girl Scout leader and as a Pink Lady at the hospital; in the school system, she began a reading program matching volunteer tutors to students. She was an early member of St. David""s Episcopal Church when it was a mission. There she taught Sunday school, was a Daughter of the King, aided the Antique Show fundraiser and was a vestry member multiple times. Upon her last child""s graduation from high school, she finished her degree at Florida Southern College in journalism. She went back to work fulltime as the Director of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), which was sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. She was a founding member of the committee that began the Polk Senior Games and was always a strong supporter of the elderly and the gifts they offer. Her great gift, on a very individual basis, was to listen to issues and problems with insight, to speak with clarity and then work to support that need. She was grateful to God that she lived long enough to influence the lives of her three grandchildren (Nick, Jeff and Jessica), to meet her great granddaughter (Ella) and to welcome from afar the newborns Jackson and Emily. In opening her heart and her home to others, her influence also extended to exchange students from around the world who came to learn the ways of America and to experience the freedoms we all enjoy. She loved to travel with her favorite trips being to Italy and New Zealand. She also loved to read and believed no education was ever lost. She was an excellent cook who loved to have her family gathered around a table for a festive meal. Dancing was a favorite of hers. She and Jack met at a college dance and they continued to dance many miles in their life together. She is survived by her two children J. Michael West (Susan,) Athens, Ga., Kay Ruhle (Gary), Lakeland, Fl., three grandchildren Nick West (Molly), Jeff West (Jen), both of Atlanta, Ga. and Jessica Ruhle, Durham, N. C., three great-grandchildren and Barrie and Jackson Bennette, Lakeland, Fl. She finished her years attending All Saints"" Episcopal Church and she appreciated the love she received from the church. The family wishes to thank the Lay Eucharistic Visitors who celebrated communion with her weekly, as well as the many church visitors, especially the Order of St. Luke members, the priest and the deacon, who routinely brought her the love of Christ. A celebration of life will be held at All Saints"" Episcopal Church on Saturday, August 15, at 11am with a private committal immediately following in the church""s columbarium. The family hopes you will wear a color that reflects your joy upon entering the presence of the Lord. A reception will follow in the church""s Woodsby Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to All Saints"" Episcopal Church to be used for education and outreach. Service: 08/15/2015 All Saints Episcopal Church 202 South Massachusetts Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33801