Geraldine Kendrick

Geraldine Kendrick was born July 18, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois.  She was the third child of nine born to Grady Norris and Helen (Maulsby) Norris.  The brothers who preceded her in death were Charles Richard, David, Leroy, Alvin and Clarence.  The sisters who preceded her in death were Jean and Doris.

Geraldine accepted Christ at an early age.  Her mother passed when Geraldine was nine. Geraldine then went to live with her late Uncle Reverend Thomas Maulsby and wife Claire.  They had a significant impact on Geraldine’s life, including spiritual upbringing and learning to play piano.  Geraldine served in many positions of the church throughout her entire life, some included, choir member, musician, Sunday school teacher and superintendent. Geraldine loved working with the youth of the church.  She wrote, directed, and performed many plays, skits, and poems.  She was also a faithful member of Unity Baptist Church.

Geraldine was educated in the Chicago Public School System.  She attained her cosmetology license through attending night school at Dunbar High School.  Geraldine worked in Chicago as a waitress and bar maid.  She was the President of the PTA and became a Teacher’s Aid.  Geraldine later went on to work for the Navy in Los Angeles, California.  She also worked with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a Legal Technician and served as the Secretary of the FAA Black Coalition.  Geraldine later transferred to Las Vegas, NV as the secretary for the McCarran Control Tower where she retired.

Geraldine was an accomplished card player and excelled at Bid Whist (7 No Trump).  She was a dancer extraordinaire. She could cook with the best of em and effortlessly hosted her loved ones on many occasions. Geraldine would talk to you (briefly), but she did not play!  “A Chicago fist in the eye” was a joke, as she got older, but like most legends is rooted in some truth. God just got a great Soldier.

Geraldine was the mother of four children Cynthia (deceased), Yvette (Ronald King), Glenn (Juanita) and Darryl (Ronda).  Geraldine also leaves to mourn: her brother Thomas Norris, seventeen grandchildren, twenty-four great-grandchildren, and a host of relatives and friends.