Geraldine (Gerry) Virginia Ayers passed into eternity on December 10, 2022, her 98 ^th birthday, at Circle of Life in Bentonville, AR. She was born in Minneapolis, MN to Raymond Miles and Violet Stolberg Miles.

Gerry Miles was raised on Milwaukee Avenue, the oldest row of houses in Minneapolis. She graduated from South High, where she and her friends (fellow members of Krazy Kat Club) enjoyed going to movies, to the "Pill" House for dances, and working at Bridgeman's Ice Cream Parlor. After high school she worked for Sears and Roebuck on Lake Street. Gerry met her future husband in high school and they were married on February 10, 1945. At the time of their marriage, Harold was a flight instructor in the Army Air Corp., and so they began their life together in Las Vegas, NV, where they were stationed at the time. As World War II wound down, they returned to Minneapolis, where Jacki was born, then headed for the West coast and sunnier climate where they had Jim. Eventually, Harold became a pilot with United Airlines and was stationed in Chicago when Sheryl came along. Gerry faithfully supported him as he travelled and transferred from place to place (living in 7 different states!) and finally ended up back in sunny southern California.

Gerry was a wonderful home maker, meeting the needs of her husband as well as taking good care of the children, always there to lend a helping hand or to drive them to one of the many activities they were involved in. Gerry enjoyed various crafts, as well as cake decorating, sewing, and Dance Club.

In 1972, the couple moved to Lake Vermilion in northern Minnesota with their son, one daughter and her family. They purchased Bay View Lodge, a beautiful fishing/family resort. It was a big adjustment for Gerry and the others, but in time, they came to love living there. They sold the resort in 1978 and bought a beautiful old log home overlooking the lake and retiring there until moving to Bella Vista in 1998.

They did a lot of traveling, going to such exotic places as Antigua and American Samoa. After retirement, they travelled all over the country in their motorhome, visiting family and friends. After celebrating their 55 ^th wedding anniversary in February, Gerry's husband (the love of her life) succumbed to cancer in June. She remained in their Bella Vista home until 2017 when she moved into Concordia Retirement Community. She enjoyed getting to know and love the staff there as well as fellow residents. Her family is ever so grateful for the care and love she received there.

Gerry had a wonderful life, as they say, endearing everyone who knew her with her sweet and loving ways.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Harold E. Ayers, and son, James.

She is survived by daughters, Jacqueline Geddes and Sheryl Stephens; grandson, Rhett Stephens; granddaughters, Erin Stephens Morgan, Cindy Geddes Taylor, Karen Geddes Cole; and seven great grandchildren.

Arrangements are under the direction of Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory.  On-line condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.