Geraldine Ann Kalenza

Geraldine Ann Kalenza, born on October 13, 1946, passed away on the morning of Wednesday, May 19, 2021. A native of Gadsden, Alabama, and of the Baptist faith, she was the daughter of the late Clifford and Mildred Hatchett. Geraldine was a skilled seamstress in her working years, and absolutely loved sewing, quilting, crafting, gardening and camping with her family.

A friend to all, Geraldine never met a stranger in all of her 74 years of life. In her last years at Elberta Healthcare Center, now called Southern Pines, she was known for flashing her memorable smile and giving a firm hand squeeze to whoever, she came in contact with. This meant so much to the employees and fellow nursing home residents alike.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Steve Kalenza; son, Richard Allen Perkey; and siblings, Jimmy Hatchett and Patricia Green.

Geraldine is survived by her loving children, Deborah Tolbert (David) and Pamela Bennett, both of Toccoa, Georgia and Daniel Perkey (Linda) of Bonaire; grandchildren, Jenifer Byargeon (David), Brandon Rider, Ryan Tolbert, Brennan Rider, Cameron Rider and Justin Perkey; great-grandchildren, William Ramsey, Dylan Lanier, Nykolas Lanier, Austin Tolbert, Faith Tolbert, Bryana Tolbert, Aiden Pitts, Lance Rider, Emmitt Rider and Kaden Rider; great-great-granddaughter, Paisley Ramsey; and brother, Clifton “Butch” Hatchett of Jasper, Alabama.

A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, June 5, 2021, from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home. A memorial service celebrating Mrs. Kalenza’s life will immediately follow at 2:00 p.m., in the chapel of McCullough Funeral Home with Chaplain Robert Weaver and Chaplain Gene Saunders officiating.

The family will accept flowers or memorial donations may be given in memory of Geraldine to Heart of GA Hospice, 103 Westridge Dr., Warner Robins, GA 31088.

For friends unable to attend at this time, the service will be streamed live via the McCullough Funeral Home Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mcculloughfuneralhome/live/.

Learn about the measures McCullough Funeral Home is taking to ensure the health and safety of our guests at mcculloughfh.com. There you can also sign an Online Registry for the family. McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.