Jerry was born in Buffalo, New York on May 4, 1932. She was the wife of Dr. Conrad Clinton Fonseca. She was the daughter of the late Cecil Franklin and Laura Ott Maxey. Jerry moved a number of times in her younger years due to her father’s engineering work, eventually settling in Chattanooga, Tennessee where she graduated from Central High in 1950. Jerry then attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga obtaining a B.A. in Spanish in 1954. While in college, she was a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority and honored as an inductee of Sigma Delta Pi and Mortar Board.
Jerry married her husband of 61 years in Kinston, North Carolina and relocated with him during his dental and orthodontic training. While they moved, she taught school in Chattanooga, Memphis and in the Brunswick/St Simons Island area, where they finally settled. She and her family have resided in Glynn County for the last 58 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Mavis Fay Maxey Fulton. She is survived by her husband Connie and their children -Laura Fonseca Shea (Michael) of Thomasville, Shannon Fonseca Kinzey (Brad) of Atlanta and Conrad Clinton Fonseca, Jr. (Lucy) of Savannah. She is also survived by her sister Shirley Maxey Williams of Kinston, North Carolina and her eight grandchildren- Stephen Shea, Haven Shea, Ford Kinzey, Cecile Shea, Laura Kinzey Marshall, Conrad Kinzey, Conrad Fonseca III, and Spencer Fonseca.
Jerry was known to all as an active personality who enjoyed tennis, travel, reading and spending time with her friends. She volunteered as a teacher of English to help Spanish speaking adults. She could always be counted in among her book club, as well as her notorious tennis group “The Little Old Ladies in Tennis Shoes”. She and Connie traveled the world together exploring every continent. Jerry was a member of St. Williams Catholic Church where the memorial service will be held this Tuesday, June 19 at 2:00PM. The family will receive visitors at the church after the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Golden Isles, 1692 Glynco Parkway, Brunswick, GA, 31525 or St Williams Catholic Church, 2300 Frederica Road, St Simons Island, GA, 31522.
Arrangements are entrusted into the care of Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home www.edomillerandsons.com
