Josephine Elaine Gerrie

GREENSBORO, NC—Josephine Elaine (Howrey) Gerrie passed away on March 18, 2015 in Greensboro, NC. She lived in Greensboro for the past four years so she could be near her beloved daughter Becky. Prior to that she lived for thirty years in Columbia, South Carolina in the home she had shared with her husband.Josephine (JO) was married for over fifty years to the love of her life, Charles L. Gerrie. He preceded her in death in February 2000. Josephine was born in Kemp, Illinois on July 25, 1929 the second daughter of Martha Tyrrhene and Clyde Jackson Howrey. She was the third child in a family of seven. She was preceded in death by her father, mother, brother, Jack Howrey and sister, Virginia Wiseman. She is survived by her daughters Cindy (Maury) Brenna and Becky (Peter) Opachan, grandchildren Christopher and Samantha Opachan, brothers Jim, Don (Debra), Gary, and Mick Howrey, sister in law Ruth Etta Howrey and many nieces and nephews. After graduating from Hindsboro High School, Josephine worked at Illinois Bell Telephone Company in Champaign, Illinois for ten years. She then met and married Charles and quit the phone company in order to raise her family. Over the ensuing years she worked at various part time jobs but her primary focus was always on her husband and her children. JO considered her family to be her greatest accomplishment and spending time with each of them brought her the greatest joy. JO also loved to travel with her husband Charles. They made numerous trips to Italy as well as other European countries and traveled widely throughout the United States. JO was a life-long fan of the Minnesota Vikings and frequently attended their games when she lived in Minnesota.She also enjoyed playing golf and bridge. After her family was raised she became more actively involved in various clubs including Newcomers, New Gardeners Club, and bridge. JO was a member of the Kemp Church of Christ but in later years converted to Catholicism in order to share her religious beliefs with her husband Charles. She subsequently became a member of Our Lady of The Hills Catholic Church and remained a devoted Christian throughout her life. A celebration of JO’s life will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, March 23, 2015 at Our Lady of the Hills Catholic Church, 120 Marydale Lane, Columbia, South Carolina 29210, she will be interred there beside her husband Charles following the service in Bush River Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, 5400 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC 29212. Temples Halloran Funeral Home is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers the donor should contribute to their favorite charity on JO’s behalf.