Geraldine Elaine Gooch

Geraldine Elaine Trammer Gooch was born on March 18, 1941 in Autaugaville, Alabama, to the union of Lula Mae Tyus Trammer Andrews and Willie Easter Trammer. She was the oldest of four children. Her mother later married Clifton Andrews Sr., and to this union Clifton Andrews, Jr. was born who preceded her in death. Gerri, as she was called by her siblings, accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Shiloh Baptist Church in Autaugaville. After moving to Detroit, she united with St. James Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. W. C. Barnett.

Geraldine began her education at Harmony Elementary School and Autauga County Training School in Autaugaville. She and her sisters moved to Detroit, Michigan, in 1955 where she graduated from Eastern High School in 1959. She then began working for Simmons and Clark Jewelry Store until she obtained a job with Michigan Bell Telephone Company as a Customer Service Representative. She later moved to Evanston, Illinois, to work for Illinois Bell (now AT&T) from which she retired as a manager after 31 years of service.

Gerri was united in marriage to Rafus Gooch on May 25, 1974 under the leadership of Reverend Charles H. Nicks, Jr. Rafus preceded her in death on February 16, 1996. From this union, two children were born: Christopher Jerome and Leah Michelle.

On June 7, 2025 at 3:00a.m., Gerri departed this life to be with the heavenly Father. She leaves to cherish her memory: one son, Christopher Jerome Gooch, of Sanford, Florida, and one daughter, Leah Michelle Grisby (Johnathan) of Gurnee, Illinois; three grandchildren: Christopher Bryson Sisk (Elizabeth) of Wilmington, North Carolina; Aaron Christopher Gooch of Richton Park, Illinois and Avery Nicole Grisby of Gurnee, Illinois: two sisters: Shirley Trammer Davis (William) and Evelyn Trammer Williams, both of Detroit, Michigan; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many other relatives and friends.

Rest in peace, Mom. We will always love you forever,

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests the honor of celebrating Gerri's life with a donation to the Michael J. Fox Parkinson's Foundation".

A visitation for Geraldine will be held Thursday, June 19, 2025 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Marsh Funeral Home, 305 N Cemetery Rd, Gurnee, IL 60031.