Gerry was born to Rose (Long) Raley and Talmadge (Tom) Raley on December 31, 1929, in Cincinnati, Ohio. She grew up in the Lockland area neighborhood and graduated from Lockland High School, class of 1947, where she was noted for her beautiful soprano singing voice, earning her the honor of being asked to sing a duet for her high school graduation.
Gerry married John Edward Salzer in 1948. Their marriage brought them seven wonderful children. John and Gerry ultimately divorced, with Gerry taking on the herculean role of single motherhood until 1963 when she married the love of her life, Joseph S. Metcalfe. Joe brought seven children of his own to the relationship and in 1965 Linda was born, bringing both families together. Gerry and Joe raised nine of the youngest under one roof and they enjoyed life to the fullest as a large, blended family.
Gerry enjoyed a fun and active life with her husband, Joe. Together, they took pleasure in traveling, cruises to the Bahamas, trips to Hawaii, the Holy Land, and Washington, DC, where she was invited to have tea with former First Lady, Pat Nixon, while Joe met with the President.
Gerry was a devoted wife and loving mother. She enjoyed nothing more than spending time with her family. Her kind and generous spirit was felt by all of her family and friends. Her main activity in life was working for her Lord, and some of her most cherished memories included raising her children in the churches they attended, where many lifelong friendships were forged. She was an active member, Sunday school teacher, and choir member at Abundant Life Memorial Church when the family lived in Indianapolis. When they moved to Columbus for Joe’s work, they joined Evangel Temple, where she also taught children and adults, sang in the choir, and served for a season as the Women’s Ministry Director. When they needed a church closer to home, they joined Eastgate Assembly of God, and lastly, Reynoldsburg Church of the Nazarene. Her testimony was strong and ran deep. She always believed in the power of prayer, no matter where life’s journey took her. She served as the President of the Ohio Chapter of Women’s Aglow and was a regional leader in Lydia Fellowship, a national volunteer women’s prayer association. Her faith was something she lived in its purest and simplest form. She and Joe volunteered for many years as prayer counselors for Prayerline at WCVO 104.9 radio station, and in her later years when she became much more housebound, she continued her prayer ministry through Guidepost Magazine. The house phone would often ring with people wanting a prayer of faith prayed over their situation or need. She loved to pray, and her deepest prayer and desire was to have all her family in heaven with her.
Gerry loved good music. Her favorite singer was Nat King Cole, with Johnny Mathis a close second. Once she became a Christian, she loved singing in choirs and listening to gospel music. She and Joe became Christians in the late 1960s during a six-week revival held by the singing McDuff Brothers trio. She bought and played all their albums for as long as she had a stereo record player. Her talent and love of music passed on to her children and grandchildren. She loved to hear them sing, play instruments, and display their talents. They all knew she was their biggest fan.
After many years as a stay-at-home mother, Gerry took her talent and good taste in fashion to work in sales for Woolen Square, a high-end clothing boutique in Columbus, Ohio. She often didn’t receive a paycheck because she bought her family so many beautiful clothes. Her generosity extended far beyond her large circle of family and friends to many international ministries and, especially to her beloved cat Icarus (Icky).
Her sarcastic wit and humor were famous among those who knew her well. Her home was always open, and she never blinked when an individual or entire family needed to camp out for days, weeks, months, and even years. Holidays at her home were always lots of fun. She was known to be calm and unruffled under pressure and had the unique ability to cook up a multi-dish tasty meal for twenty or more in her small kitchen without breaking a sweat or appearing frazzled. Yet she was a very determined and strong-willed woman who could be a warrior if someone tried to harm her children. Her strong will was what kept her going and as the years went by, she often joked, “I’m holding out for the rapture!
She loved staying connected with her widespread family. In her eighties, she joined Facebook so she could continue to keep up with everyone’s lives and interests.
Gerry was able to live at her home thanks to the loving care of her devoted daughter Linda until she had a series of strokes that required rehabilitation and care at Tuscany Gardens Pataskala, Ohio, where she passed away. She will be greatly missed and remembered as a powerful force in the lives of those she touched during her time on this earth.
Gerry was preceded in death by her parents, her only sibling Donald Raley of Cincinnati, Ohio, and her husband Joe. She will be deeply missed by her children, Kean (Rochelle) Salzer, Beverly Salzer, John (Rebecca) Salzer, Sharon (William) McKee, Tom (Nancy) Salzer, Donna (Glen) Menzies, Lisa Kennan, Linda Wooten, stepchildren, the late Truman Metcalfe, Beatrice (Leonzia) Helton, Berneace Hampton, Fred (Doris) Metcalfe, Harold (Valerie) Metcalfe, Mendel (Chandra) Metcalfe, Ted (Patty) Metcalfe; 15 grandchildren, 27 step-grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, 73 step-great-grandchildren, 134 step-great-great grandchildren, 2 step great, great, great-grandchildren, a sister in law, two nieces and one nephew all of whom she loved dearly.
In her last weeks on earth, she began to pray with fervor, “Take me home Lord”. He answered her prayer in the early morning of May 7th, and she can now say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”
Funeral services to honor and celebrate Gerry’s life will be held at Schoedinger Funeral Home, 1051 E. Johnstown, Road, Gahanna, Ohio on Friday, May 17th with public viewing from 10:30 – 11:30 am and followed by a funeral service at 11:30 am.
The graveside interment at Violet Cemetery in Pickerington, Ohio will follow the funeral services.
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