Obituary: Geraldine ‘Gerri’ Kuykendall

Geraldine “Gerri” Kuykendall of Athens was born on September 8, 1943 in Raydell, AR to John Robert Zimmerman and Verna Mae Mackey Zimmerman. She passed away in Tyler on July 26, 2018.

Gerri is proceeded in death by her parents; her husband: Bill Kuykendall; her sons: Bryan Meletti and Cody Kuykendall; and her siblings: Verna Hatch, Wanda Kennedy, and Freddy Zimmerman. She is survived by her children: Eddie Meletti, Melinda Meletti, Dennis Kuykendall, Michael Kuykendall, Shawn Kuykendall and wife Kandi; daughters-in-law: Kandi and Doris; siblings: Leonard “Butch” Payan and wife Cindy, Billy Payan and wife Gail, Roberta Posey and husband George, Juanita Giddings, Pat Edwards and husband George “Rube”; and brother-in-law: Doug Kennedy, as well as many numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also leaves many “adopted” children that she loved like her own.

Gerri loved gardening, spending time with her grandchildren and was a serious scrabble and double rummy player. She was the former owner of Bill’s Truck and Auto in Athens, TX for many years.

The family would like to invite you for a visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, July 30, 2018 at the funeral home. A memorial service will be 10 a.m., Tuesday, August 1, 2018 at Autry’s Carroll Lehr Funeral Home with Pastor Mike Nelson officiating.