Geralean Eleanor Harshfield, age 89, died Dec. 31, 2010. She was always known as "Gerry" and later as "Me Maw." She was born Nov. 13, 1921 in Okla. City to William Grover Johnson and Lula Margaret Cunningham. Being a Daddy's girl, from childhood she learned the flower trade at her father's side in the family-owned "Art Flower Shoppe." As a floral designer, she excelled and won many prizes in trade shows. After 35 years the business closed in 1955. She then worked in fine jewelry for Swift's Jewelry in Fayetteville, Ark., and John. A. Brown's department store in Okla. City. Flowers, gardening, and jewelry remained her lifelong passions. She taught herself to play the piano, organ, accordion and vibraphone. Church music, either singing or playing an instrument, was a major part of her life. She married Marvin S. Ford in 1943. This union brought her only child, La Nell. On July 2, 1960, she married the love of her life, Uriel Lorenzo "U.L." Harshfield. Together they founded Church of the New Life and pastored there for 25 years. She held ministerial papers with World Ministry Fellowship. She is preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Rolland; and a sister, Gwendolyn; a stepson, John Mark Harshfield; and her beloved husband, Uriel. She is survived by her daughter, La Nell (Michael) Shores; grandchildren: Michael (Twyla) Shores, David Shores, Rachel (Joseph) Ellis; great-grandchildren: Kaytlin, Tad and Madelin Shores, Timberlyn Shores and William, Matthew, Miriam and Samuel Ellis; stepdaughter, Debra (Wayne) Zettlemoyer; step-grandchildren: Heather (Christian) Portwood and Trinity (Chris) Bilodeau; step-great-grandchildren: Caleb, Oliver and Isaac Portwood. Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 4, 2011, at Calvary Church of the Nazarene.

Published in The Oklahoman on January 2, 2011