Geraldine "Geri" Butler was born on April 1, 1944, in Blythe, California to the late Theo Butler, Sr. and the late Lula Butler Henderson.  She passed away on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, California.  She was one of eight children.  Geri attended local schools, graduating from Palo Verde High School in 1962 and Palo Verde College in 1964.  She became a member of the St. Paul Baptist Church at an early age and became an active participant as she grew older.  She sang in the choir and served as a member of the church financial committee.

Following graduation from college, she married Charles Wilkins and to that union they were blessed with two boys, Wayman Kim and Steven Wilkins, Sr.

The family moved several times due to Charles' job opportunities.  The family settled in Northern California.  During this time, Geri went back to school and obtained her bachelor's and master's degrees.  She later returned to Blythe then joined the staff at Palo Verde College as a full-time faculty member in 1992 teaching Office technology.  In 1996 she served as the Assistant Dean of Technical Preparation and a year later began serving as the Dean of Administrative Services and remained in this position until she retired in 2011.  She was a highly esteemed and dedicated person whose passion for education made a profound impact on the college and within the community.

Upon retiring, she moved to Indio, California, where she found a new community of friends.  She became a member and served  on the board of the Community Singers, served two terms as the Desert Life Board President, served on the HOA Nominating and Covenant Committees and was a member of other activity groups within the community.

Geraldine is survived by her two children, Wayman (Rosie) of Blythe, CA  and Steven Wilkins Sr. (Salwa) of Seal Beach, CA; grandchildren Jerome (Candace) of Beaumont CA, Olivia of Jacksonville, FL, Steven, Jr., of Redondo Beach, CA and Jazmin; great-grandchildren Natalie, Adrian, Keilani, Aja. Siblings: Irene Butler and Carol (Alex) Naranjo of Blythe, Charlene (Anthony) Harris of Indio, CA, Jimmie (Albert) Henderson of Little Rock, AR, sister-in-law Florida Butler of Modesto, CA., Travestine Butler of Pine Bluff, AR, and Lewis Henderson of Blythe, CA.

She was preceded in death by her parents Theo Butler, Sr. and Lula Mae Butler Henderson; sister, Doretha Butler Jones, brothers, Theo Butler Jr., Raymond Butler, Carl Butler, John Henderson, Mae Frances Crane, and Margie Crane.

Geraldine, you will be missed.  You fought a good fight! Now, through the Grace of God, you are now at peace.

Services for Geri will be held on Thursday, July 25, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at Frye Chapel in Blythe.  Burial will follow at Palo Verde Cemetery.