Geri Ruth (Bolton) Spring

Geri was born on September 6th,1946 in Oak Ridge, TN, and was the eldest child of Howard Finley Bolton and Francis Elizabeth (Johnson) Bolton. As a military family they lived in various locations throughout her adolescence, including New Mexico and Germany.

Geri graduated from Headland High School in Eastpoint, GA in 1965, then briefly attended North Georgia College (now University of North Georgia), before earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Education (1971) and Master of Education (1974) from Georgia State University.

Geri married Alan Henry Spring on June 17th, 1967, in Eastpoint, Georgia. Upon completion of their degrees at Georgia State and Georgia Tech, they settled in Chattanooga, TN in 1973, where they raised their family and worked until retirement.

Geri was an avid reader, loved to travel, and held a deep appreciation for arts and culture. In addition to her most treasured role as a loving mother and grandmother, Geri held many other positions throughout her career in Chattanooga, Tennessee. As an educator, grant writer, campaign manager, community development consultant, watershed and environmental protection advocate, and volunteer for numerous projects and causes, she loved her community and tirelessly worked to make it better for all. Of special note is her legacy work and leadership in the late 80’s - early 90’s to help the City of Chattanooga to obtain and convert the former Spangler Farm in Hixson, TN into what is today, Greenway Farms Park, a beautiful 180-acre public park bordering North Chickamauga Creek. She also served a notable role in the Chattanooga Venture “Vision 2000” project that was dedicated to the revitalization of Chattanooga through sustainable urban development initiatives.

Remaining to cherish Geri’s memory are her husband, Alan H. Spring; her children, Staci A. Spring (Lewis Keith, III) Lloyd, Samuel “Bo” R. (Lauren) Spring; her grandchildren, E.A. Spring, Samuel F. Spring, and Farrah M. Spring; and her siblings and their families, William H. Bolton, Thomas E. Bolton, Susan (Bolton) Brown, and Evelyn (Bolton) Brown.

Geri is preceded in death by her daughter, Jessica Susann Spring and her father and mother, Howard Finley Bolton and Frances Elizabeth (Johnson) Bolton.

A remembrance and celebration of life will be held at Greenway Farms Park Conference Center in Hixson, TN, tentatively scheduled for Friday, January 23rd at noon (please check back for final confirmation).

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Geri’s memory may be directed to North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy, links are down below.

Arrangements are under the care of the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com