Jerry is survived by the love of her life and husband of 70 years, William Clifford Steele and her sons, Barry Steele (married to Debbie Harvey Steele) and Gary Steele (married to Robbyn Cooley Steele); daughter, Jeanine Steele Persichini (married to Gary Persichini); brother, Joe Lee Grigsby and grandchildren: Stefanie Galchutt, Britni Gooch, Brandon Foreman, Daniel Foreman, Taylor Steele, Grady Steele and Sara Steele; Step-grandchildren, Michael Persichini and Anthony Persichini. Surviving great-grandchildren are: Tayven Steele, Zanden Galchutt, Kenisen Galchutt, Jude Foreman, Ewan Foreman, Lilly Gooch, Aubrey Gooch, Jenna Gooch Andrew Steele and Caleb Steele. She is preceded in death by her brother, Gene Grigsby and sister, Francis Grigsby Woodard.
Jerry was the daughter of Martin Luther and Goldie Jewell Grigsby. She lived in Pilot Grove, Texas until moving to Lisbon, (now South Dallas) Texas and attending Lisbon Elementary and Boude Story Junior High School. She was an extremely bright child -so much so that she was allowed to start first grade along with her older sister, Francis, even though she was only 4 years old. Jerry graduated from N. R. Crozier Technical High School in Dallas at the age of 16 and began her long career as an exceptional executive secretary, most notably at Vought Aircraft Company in Grand Prairie, TX.
Jerry was a devoted wife and mother and had many joys in life; from teaching English as a Second Language to many friends including students from Mexico, China, Kosovo, Korea, Nicaragua and Cuba, to leading the Girl’s Auxiliary classes at her church – she always taught with love, grace and patience. She also had a passion for games and sports and loved to compete (and win!) as much as she enjoyed watching them, and rarely missed her children’s or grandchildren’s sporting events. Jerry was an avid Texas Rangers fan and watched every game she could. In 2010 she was able to achieve one of her dreams of seeing her Texas Rangers in the World Series and attending one of the games. She also loved to travel and whether it was taking a two-week road trip, a cruise with family members to Belize or Hawaii, or one of many Baptist Men’s Mission trips with Cliff, she was always up for adventure and made every trip fun.
It’s an understatement to say that Jerry will be missed. She made friends and touched people’s lives for the better everywhere she went. Life won’t be the same without her.
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