Geraldine Rudisill Zeigler “Jerry”

Published 7:52 pm Thursday, June 23, 2011

The Fairview Community of Selma is saddened by the death of Geraldine Zeigler, June 22, 2011. She was 96.

Jerry was born September 20, 1914, the oldest of four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Grady Rudisill. Her early childhood was spent near Safford, AL. In her teen years the family moved to Hickory, North Carolina. After high school graduation, she attended Lenoir Rhyne College. She married Percy Reed Zeigler, Sr., September 7th of 1935. Mr. and Mrs. Zeigler settled in the Fairview Community, and became active in Community Services.

Jerry was a member of the Selma Garden Club and enjoyed bridge with friends. She and Percy were instrumental in the formation of the Fairview Community Center, and both were charter members of the Fairview Baptist Church. She worked tirelessly in the Children’s department of the Church, and served as Director of the Women’s Missionary Union for many years. There was always a “special love” for her church. She remained faithful and accepted anything she was called upon to do. After moving to Park Place, she often asked her son and daughter-in-law to bring her to morning worship service, as a “birthday gift”. One of her last outings was to attend Homecoming service, celebrating the 55th year of the church, this past April.

Email newsletter signup

Jerry was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Percy Reed Zeigler, Sr., daughter, Wanda Zeigler Hicks, her parents and a sister, Glennie Reeves.

She is survived by her daughter, Gloria Graham of Atlanta and son, Percy Reed (Sonya) Zeigler, Jr. of Selma; grandchildren, Karen (Don) Duston, Kelly (Robert) Tolomeo, Kim (Jeff) Roberts, Mike Hicks, Tracy (Tim) Camp, Amy (David) Moland, Elizabeth (Clay) Taylor, April Zeigler, and Reed Zeigler; eighteen great-grandchildren; brothers, Grady (Nell) Rudisill and Fulmer Rudisill of Hickory, North Carolina.

Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, June 24th at Selma Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Saturday, June 25th at 10 a.m. at Fairview Baptist Church, with Rev. Glen Smith officiating and Selma Funeral Home directing. Interment will follow in New Live Oak Cemetery, beside her husband.

Pallbearers will be Jimmy Ellison, Larry English, Cecil Strickland, Harry Bolen, Steen Traylor, and Robert Key.  Honorary pallbearers will be Bobby Willis, Tim Gibbs, Lee Calame, Benny Willis, Chuck Jones, Alton Williams, Ralph Friday, William L. Jones, Jr., Billy Boozer, Kip Smitherman, Sutt Molett and Bill Jordan.

Jerry will be remembered for her loving nature, and an “infectious smile”, a legacy she leaves to her children and grandchildren.

Please visit http://www.selmafuneralhome.com/  to view the obituary, sign the guest registry and offer online condolences.