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Obituary


Obituary of Geraldine Spurlock Brown
Geraldine Brown was born on Nov 5th, 1931 in Owensboro, Kentucky to George and Mabel
Kieser. Jerry, as she liked to be called at that time was an avid reader and decided after high
school to see the world and join the Air Force. At Langley Air Force Base in Virginia she met
and fell in love with James H. Spurlock. The couple were married and not long after discovered
that they were to be blessed with identical twin daughters. Sharon and Sheila were born in
June of 1953. Since the babies were two months premature they needed round the clock care
so Jerry moved home to Kentucky to get the much needed help from her parents.
Then Jerry began her five decade career with General Electric in Owensboro. The Spurlocks
went on to divorce and Jerry met the love of her life, Bryant Brown, a few years later. General
Electric moved Jerry to Palo Alto, California in 1959 and Bryant soon followed. She raised her
twins without any financial assistance from her ex-husband and even though she wasn't a high
wage earner. She scrimped and saved because her life’s ambition was to send her girls to
college. We remember how proud she was the day our Stanford acceptance letters arrived.
We’ll never forget her telling us that she couldn’t wait to share the news with her boss in Palo
Alto, who had a daughter of the same age going off to college (to a local state university.)
Jerry moved up steadily within her company and eventually went into outside sales when the
twins were in college. She thoroughly enjoyed the travel this afforded her and especially
enjoyed the cruises and other travel opportunities that she and Bryant were able to enjoy. The
twins enjoyed a special bond with Bryant and loved him like a father. She and Bryant married
after the twins were married in a ceremony in Reno, Nevada.
She enjoyed playing golf with Bryant, reading, hiking and they were both very active in their
church. They especially enjoyed spending much quality time with their five grandchildren.
Since both daughters and their families lived nearby they were able to attend many of the
grandchildren's baseball, basketball, softball and soccer games. They loved to have the
grandkids sleep over on the weekends and so a close bond was formed with Mémé and Papa
by all five grandchildren during their youth. At some point Geri decided she didn’t like spelling
her name like a boy any more and switched to the female diminutive version. She and Bryant
moved up to Lincoln Del Webb in 2003 to help her daughter Sheila raise her children. They
became very active with the 1st Baptist Church in Lincoln, which later became known as First
Street Community Church. Bryant and Geri were SO LOVED by their church community.
Shortly before Mom had an official diagnosis of the cause of her memory issues Mom decided
she wanted to go on a special cruise with her daughters. She chose a 30 day cruise from SF to
Australia. As it turned out Sheila had started a new job and was not able to take that much time
off, but Geri and Sharon made the best of it and set sail in Sept 2012 on the trip of theirlives. I
am forever grateful to have had the opportunity to enjoy these lovely tropical destinations and
incredible Princess Cruise line food and entertainment with my wonderful mother for 30 full days
before the Alzheimer’s could really start affecting her abilities.
In 2015 Geri was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, the same illness that she nursed her
Mom (2001) and Bryant (2009) through. Daughter, Sheila was fortunate enough to be able to
nurture her though this illness and continue to take her to church and formed loving bonds with
these wonderful parishioners. What a magnificent group of people! During these years
cherished daughter, Sharon was able to visit often with her twin and Mama AND visit our church
family. Geri spent her last 3 years at Oakmont of Roseville in their Memory Care unit, but
enjoyed so many of the activities, like art and music and field trips with Sheila (and Sharon
when she was in town), to many wonderful places! She really enjoyed her last years despite this
horrible disease, which comforts all of us who loved her so!
After her passing, due to COVID, so many dear friends reached out to the twins to tell them
what a special friend, mentor and second Mom Geri had been to them. We continue to be
amazed at how wonderful our mother was, not just to her family, but to so many people that
touched her life! A special thank you to ALL of her loving Oakmont staff!!!!! Especially but not
exclusively, Lance, Tina, Bobby, Mike, Mahdre, Theo and William, with love and appreciation.
Geri is survived by daughters, Sharon Ladrech (Gene), Sheila Volarvich (Dennis deceased),
granddaughter Brittany Silbaugh ( Jason), grandsons Bryan Ladrech (Lesley), Brendt Volarvich,
Braden Volarvich and Bryce Volarvich, granddaughter Amanda Volarvich Berkey (Aaron), and
great grandchildren, Ava and Alex Berkey, Isabella Volarvich, Addison Silbaugh and Rowen
Silbaugh.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Geraldine Brown, please visit Tribute Store

A Memorial Tree was planted for Geraldine
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Blue Oaks Cremation & Burial Services


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