Geraldine 'Gerie' V. Deaton

Geraldine "Gerie" V. Deaton, 93, of Bella Vista, Ark., passed away peacefully at home on Oct. 23, 2012. Born in Tulsa, Okla., on July 27, 1919. Gerie attended the University of Oklahoma where she fell in love and married her now-deceased husband, Alfred L. Deaton, who was attending the University of Oklahoma Law School. With her outstanding beauty and wonderful wit, Gerie illustrated her fiercely independent and free spirit by creating an uproar in marrying her law school suitor where she held the crown of being the Sweetheart of the Engineering School at the University of Oklahoma. Gerie was gifted with a full and productive life and devoted herself to her husband, children and grandchildren. She is survived by her son, Alfred Deaton III (Beppy), and their two daughters, Dr. Ashley Deaton Stringer (Josh), and their daughter, Lily Brooks, and Kathleen Deaton Lalor (Michael), and their son, William Alfred Lalor; son, Stephen R. Deaton (Star), their children, Sean Deaton, and his children, Coleman and Carter Deaton, and James (Parratta) Deaton, and their children, Dylan and Lauren Deaton; and son, Douglas B. Deaton. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27, at Bella Vista Community Church. Arrangements are by the Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory, 2258 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, Ark. The family would like to express their deep appreciation for the loving and tender care and concern given to Gerie by her special friends and care givers, Jo Ellen Brewer, Mary Hanson and Cheryl Cooke. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.