Geraldine Tilton Tidwell

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21: 4)

Geraldine (Tilton) Tidwell, 96, of Sugar Land, (formerly of Fort Worth) passed away peacefully on Monday, Dec. 28, 2020.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, Jan. 16, at 12 noon at Grapevine Cemetery, located at N. Dooley St. at Wildwood Lane in Grapevine.

Geraldine (Gerry) Tidwell was born in Balko, OK on July 7, 1924. She is preceded in death by her parents, Grant and Isabell Jackson; husband, Ottice Tidwell; brothers, Harold, Raymond, Kenneth, and Forest; and sisters, Ruth, Mabel, and Hazel.

Gerry was known for her spirited personality, her strong Christian faith, her loving, wise and very confident nature. Growing up in the Panhandle of Oklahoma, these qualities were necessary to survive the many challenges she had to face while living through the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, two wars and losing her father at a very young age.

Gerry met the love of her life, Ottice (Ott) Tidwell in Oklahoma. Together, they moved to Fort Worth, where they shared a wonderful life together until Ott’s death in 2002.

Gerry worked her entire 40 year career for Fort Worth National Bank (FNB). She started as a bank teller and worked her way up to the position of bank officer. Gerry formed many close friendships while there. She was very popular with her coworkers as well as many of FNB’s clients, who would specifically ask for her when they would visit the bank. She had some very amusing stories of some of her most famous clients.

Gerry had a heart of gold. She never met a stranger. It was always such a joy to be around her and to watch her, as she loved life and made everyone around her love it too!!! She loved playing games with friends and family. She enjoyed a good joke, a quick tease and playing little tricks.

Gerry and Ott formed quite a team. Gerry was always gentle, loving and very attentive with children, while Ott enjoyed rough housing, constant teasing and pestering them. Although, their nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews loved every minute of his antics, “Aunt Gerry” was constantly scolding him for giving them all such a hard time.

Love and affection comes in many ways. Her love of children never wavered, she always had them around. The children in the neighborhood loved her. They would come to show her their new toys, school awards, or whatever was important to them that day and, of course, she always had a treat to share with them.

She so treasured her times with Ott, like the many times they would head off to the lake for a day of fishing and water skiing. Bird watching also became a favorite of hers. It turned into a hobby that gave her many hours of joy. But most of all, she enjoyed occasions to be with family. She loved her family with her whole heart and was very close to each and every one. If you were to ask them, each would have a special story to tell. After retirement, every

After retirement, every morning, she and a group of her friends would meet at Northwest Mall and do a morning walk, followed by coffee and fun in the food court. Many of those days would also include window shopping at the mall’s jewelry stores, which is no surprise to anyone who knew Gerry . . . she loved her jewelry!!!!!

In 2014, her declining health made it necessary for her to move to Sugar Land to be near her nephew, Ron Jackson and his family. She brought her loving spirit and love of the little ones with her!!! Trips to the local Chic-fil-a to have a shake and to watch the children playing in the playground was her favorite thing to do. She never stopped interacting with children . . . it was a treat to watch . . . it truly was magical!!!

Gerry had a long and fulfilling life, many without her precious Ott, but to know they are now together brings peace to all who loved her. We love you “Aunt Gerry”. . . you will be in our hearts forever!!!

“The apostle Paul teaches us that at the coming of the Lord Jesus, those who have gone on before will rise first and we “shall be caught up together with them . . . . And thus we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians. 4:17)

Gerry’s Family would like to express a special “Thank You” to all of the people at Inspired Living Sugar Land for taking such wonderful care of our precious Gerry during the last years of her life!! You loved her like your own; you treated her with the utmost love and respect until our Lord took her home. We will always be grateful to each and everyone of you. May God bless you all!!

A graveside service will be held for Gerry on Saturday, Jan. 16, at Grapevine Cemetery, in Grapevine.