Geraldine Falkner Douglas passed away on Friday, November 27, 2015, at Haven Hospice in Gainesville. Geraldine was born to Henry Reed and Clara Clark Falkner in the Clark ancestral home at Ellisville, Columbia County, Florida. Her long held belief was that age was irrelevant and therefore she preferred to leave age out of all things. Geraldine was fortunate to have been raised on the family farm and during her early years of life had the privilege of having her grandfather and grandmother, Oscar and Ida Bailey Clark live with her family. As a child, Geraldine enjoyed listening to her grandmother read classic literature aloud and acquired early entrepreneurial skills watching her manage a small business. She had many fond memories of being raised in a loving and close family and benefited from the relationships of her large extended family. Upon graduating from high school, Geraldine attended Florid State College for Women where she was a music major. After deciding music wasn’t her forte, and knowing she was no farm girl, she moved to Gainesville and began city life. Shortly after arriving in Gainesville, Geraldine was introduced to a local Army Air Corps veteran, Jerry E. Douglas. According to all accounts, he swept her off her feet and they were married after a short courtship. A daughter, Pam, and a son, Jerry, soon followed. Geraldine was an excellent seamstress and took pride in making her own clothes and those of her young children. She continued making clothes for her and her daughter for many years and later enjoyed applying the newest sewing methods in making clothes for her young grandchildren. After a career of more than 25 years in the savings and loan industry Geraldine retired and pursued her entrepreneurial dreams. After extensive studies and research, Geraldine established the first day spa in Gainesville which she always referred to lovingly as “my little store”. She was a trail blazer in the industry and successfully managed the business for many years. Geraldine based her business on the principals of continuing education, service to others and personal integrity. Being an active and lifelong supporter of the community, Geraldine practiced her belief that service to the community was of paramount importance. Geraldine always focused on the positive in people as well as in situations and conducted her life according to her father’s advice, “Do your best in all things, never lower your standards, and be true to yourself and others”. Geraldine was admired in the community as a dignified and gracious lady with perfectly coiffed hair, impeccably dressed, who was never in a hurry and marched to the beat of her own drum. After the death of her husband of 65 years and the closing of her business, Geraldine filled her days educating herself and others on the benefits of proper nutrition and personal wellness. She will be greatly missed by her children; daughter, Pam Latsko (Carl), son, Jerry; grandchildren, Rief Lee, Robyn Lee, and Kevin Lee; great grandchildren, Seth Giles, Morgan Giles and Olivia Lee; brothers, Charles Falkner (Helen), Ralph Falkner (Shirley); and her “little friend”, Sugar. Geraldine was laid to rest in the family ancestral cemetery at Old Providence Baptist Church in Columbia County, December 9, 2015. The family wishes to thank the wonderful people of Haven Hospice for the excellent care provided for Geraldine and for their thoughtful and compassionate support and guidance for the family members. Memorial contributions may be made to Haven Hospice, 4900 NW 90 Blvd, Gainesville, Florida, 32606, or online at havenhopice.org.
