After graduating from high school, Jerry moved to California to live with her brother in Selma. She attended Reedley College, Fresno City College and later, Fresno State. She was employed at the Fresno Bee for 12 years then returned to college to earn her teaching credential and Masters Degree. Later, Jerry taught English at Cooper Middle School and at Roosevelt High School.
Jerry met her future husband, Paul Wofford, on a double date, and always said she didn't care for him at first! They were married in 1950 and enjoyed a happy marriage until Paul passed away in 1992.
After retiring from teaching she became a docent at the Metropolitan Museum, keeping in touch with students by leading school tours through the Met.
Jerry also started traveling the world after retirement, taking one major trip a year. She loved art, theatre, and poetry, actually writing many poems herself. She had a love for language and words. Her children and grandchildren soon learned not to challenge her to a game of scrabble! She continued to complete the crossword puzzle daily up to a couple of weeks before her passing.
Jerry is survived by daughter Paula Wallis (Brent); and son John Eric Wofford (Mary); grandchild Stacey Wallis, grandchild Deanna Wallis, grandchild Jerrett Wallis (Jackie), grandchild Zamariam Wofford, grandchild Nathaniel Wofford, great grandchild Brittany Neal, great grandchild Emily Neal, great grandchild Olivia Robinson, great grandchild Ivan Bergthold, great grandchild Jacoby Wallis and great-great grandchild Nicholas Geyer. She loved having the grandkids, and their friends, over for a swim and strawberry floats.
Jerry was preceded in death by her husband Paul Wofford; father Roy Pinion and mother Alva Pinion.
Mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, friend, teacher, with love always we will remember you. "Love is how you stay alive, even after you are gone".
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.boicefuneralhome.com for the Wofford family.
