Our family matriarch, Geraldine Auroil Davis, 83, was called home on Monday October 16th, 2017 in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Geraldine was born on December 9th, 1933 on the South Coast of South Africa. As a young lady she moved to West Road, Durban, South Africa. She was the daughter of William & Auroil Goldstone. Geraldine arrived to the United States in early1962 and settled in Brooklyn, N.Y. After bringing her children to the U.S and raising them to adulthood she moved to N.Y.C.
She started her nursing career and had her children in South Africa then worked in the nursing field for many years before retiring over 20 years ago. As a young woman growing up in South Africa, she loved dancing and traveling. Some of her best friends in SA were her sister Winnie, Danny Brooks aka “Danny Boy” & her cousin Rita. They enjoyed dancing and traveling together, their most memorable trip was to Lorenzo Marks. She went by the nick names of Gerri, Serious, Cookie & Grams.
Her most memorable interactions were with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She had specific things she enjoyed experiencing with each of her family members. When her oldest daughter came to visit they always went to the beach and had private conversations. Her middle daughter was her right and left hand as she would fondly say “I’m working on my numbers early so my numbers lady can play my lotto today” She always tried to explain the formula she used to come with her lucky numbers and when she missed she would clarify where she made her mistake. She liked going grocery shopping on the weekends with middle daughter to Sam’s Club but only after 2pm because she stayed up late watching her oldies but goodies and Saturday Night Live. She was grieving for her only son who passed in August, their strong bond involved political debates and current events. The time spent with her youngest daughter was going to the commissary, Wal-Mart and sometimes Marshall’s. Her oldest granddaughter liked to spend Fridays with her hanging out, shopping, going out to eat or watching DVDs. Her second granddaughter always expressed a love for her cooking except when she was pregnant, and all her food suddenly tasted sweet. She enjoyed her oldest grandson’s company drinking coffee and he’d always leave with her mugs. Theirs was a special bond because she helped nurse him back after a tragic accident. She endured a tremendous amount of pain when she visited him but would always refer to him as “My boy”. Her third granddaughter is very enterprising and entertaining, she would keep her grandmother on the phone for hours. Geraldine’s closing comment would always be “See you when you get here”. Her fourth granddaughter her name sake would comment on her grandmothers’ strength for her dedication on children’s advocacy. Her youngest grandson shared her birth month and had a similar personality. She would say he had the ability to be a lady’s man with his special smile. Her greatest desire was to see youngest granddaughter again and before her passing she was granted her wish.
Her oldest great granddaughter enjoyed discussing the latest gossip of the stars with her. Their bond formed when she took care of her after her surgeries as a little girl. Her oldest great grandson enjoyed doing everything with her from shopping to eating out and taking her on whatever errands she wanted to run. Her second great granddaughter’s most memorable moment was when she attempted to get her to take her to the pool in the height of the summer and was denied. She didn’t care for the heat or the cold, give her the spring or fall & she was happy.
She was survived by Monica Ford, daughter, Nicholas Ford, son-in-law, Angela Goldstone, daughter, Andrew Jn. Baptiste, son-in-law, Jeanette Goldstone, daughter, Kathy Gordon, daughter-in-law, Chantel Ross, granddaughter, Garth Price, grandson-in-law, Bernice French, granddaughter, Zakia Goldstone, granddaughter, Mark Jn. Baptiste, grandson, Geraldine Ford, granddaughter, Ethan Jn. Baptiste, grandson, Zoie Goldstone, granddaughter, Caphire Price, great granddaughter, Gewelle Ross, great grandson, Cheyanne DeCoteau, great granddaughter, and some more grands, great grands and great great grands. As well a plethora of South African family members and friends who she truly loved. She was preceded in death by her mother, father, brothers, sister and son.
Thank you, Geraldine for being our strength, rock and our roots, you will be truly missed, we know heaven has welcomed you with open arms.
Her memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 22, 2017 at 3:00pm at Family Choice Funerals & Cremations, 5401 Indian River Road Virginia Beach, Virginia 23464. Please share a memory with the family via the Condolences & Tributes tab.