March 7, 1933 –

Sept. 2, 2011

A funeral service for Mrs. Mary Jean Robertson Geer Harrell, 78, of Bainbridge, will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011 at Ivey Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Jeff Stapleton officiating and will conclude at the chapel. Interment will be at Roselawn Memory Gardens.

The family will receive friends immediately following the service.

Born March 7, 1933 in Bainbridge, Mrs. Harrell passed away Friday, September 2, 2011 at her residence.

Mrs. Harrell was the daughter of John Allen Robertson and Vivian Helen Malmberg Robertson. She was a graduate of Bainbridge High School, Class of 1950, a graduate of Florida State University, Class of 1955 and earned a Bachelors degree in Art Education. Shortly after graduation, she married Peter Zack Geer of Colquitt. They were together during his political years (Lt. Governor of Georgia between 1962 – 1966).

Throughout her life, Mary Jean’s beautiful singing voice was enjoyed by her friends and family. Another major talent was her painting. Her interests ranged from gardening and fishing to card and board games. But especially Mary Jean loved cooking for her family and friends. To have people at her table was a joy to her. Another particular trait of Mary Jean’s was the tender love she bore for animals, especially dogs and horses; in her youth, she was an accomplished equestrian.

Mary Jean was active in several community organizations, including the Daylily Society, the Decatur County Artist’s Guild, the Bainbridge-Decatur County Council for the Arts, and the Southern Artist’s Co-Operative. She also enjoyed meeting a small group of her classmates, the Dixie Darlings, at their monthly lunches.

Of the utmost importance to Mary Jean was her church life. She was a devoted and very active member of Covenant Christian Church. She was that most cherished of Christians: one who lived her faith every day of her life through acts of kindness to both friends and casual acquaintances. Mary Jean will be greatly missed by the many people who loved her dearly.

Survivors include her husband, Paul J. Harrell of Bainbridge; her daughter, Carol Geer Freitas of Wailuku, HI; her step-sons, Gregg Harrell, John Harrell, and Mike Harrell; her sister, Dee Robertson of Conyers, Ga.; her granddaughter, Melanie Freitas of San Francisco, Calif.; her nephew, Garrett Geer; her sister-in-law, Ada Geer. She is also survived by several cousins including Delores Briles, newly of this city.

Ivey Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.