Geraldine Davis, affectionately known as Geri, was born on March 20, 1931 to Walter Davis and Rosabell Glover Davis. She grew up in Greenburgh, NY and completed her general education requirements from White Plains Public Schools. In May 1948, Geri married William Banks Blackwell Jr, their union resulting in four children: William III “Skip”, Cynthia, Carol and Reginald “Reggie” Blackwell.

Geri's commitment to education continued as she earned her NYS Certification as an X-Ray Technician at Grasslands Hospital by 1958. She furthered her skills with a Sonogram Technician certification from the State University of NY in 1967. In the 1970s, she embraced the emerging field of Nuclear Medicine, obtaining another NYS Certification from Westchester Community College in 1975. She later moved to Los Angeles, CA, where she worked as a Nuclear Medicine Technician at Mt. Sinai Hospital for five years. She returned home in 1982 to devote herself to her growing number of grandchildren.

Over her lifetime, she acquired three homes, leaving a legacy with each: selling one in Ossining, NY where her son Reggie lived with his children, another to her grandchild Kwame Price, and building her third and final dream home next door to her original home in Elmsford, where her granddaughter Binta Hinson resides.

Her dream home, located one block away from First Baptist Church, held significant sentimental value for Geri, as it was the place where she and her mother, Rosabell Gusman, were both baptized. An accomplished writer of poetry and short stories, Geri often contributed prose and poems to celebrate the lives of her pastors, spiritual leaders and sacred events, including the late Rev. Alexander Briley and Rev. Nicholas Soto, at First Baptist Church.

Geri experienced God’s transforming love, becoming saved and subsequently teaching Sunday School at First Baptist. Upon retirement, her daughter Cynthia gifted her art supplies, encouraging her to explore her God-given talents in painting and writing. The fruits of this endeavor resulted in Geri Blackwell publishing 15 books, scores of paintings and artwork, displayed in homes and places of worship across the nation.

In addition to her literary and artistic pursuits, Geri ventured into making stained glass windows. Her creations adorn her Elmsford home, First Baptist Church, First Church of God Christian Life Center in Evanston, IL, and the residences of family, friends and fans. Notably, her last stained glass window significantly increased the sale value of her granddaughter Anika Hinson Okoko's home in Arlington, Virginia.

Actively engaged in the Town of Greenburgh community, Geri participating in the Fairview Development Corporation—a Black business men’s and women’s group. Her commitment to social and economic justice was instilled in her children, fostering a lineage of achievements ranging from education and entrepreneurship to public service. We all grew up hearing the words, “You can do anything you set your mind to do. You can become President of the United States if that’s what you work hard to achieve.” We were never allowed to use the word, “I Can’t” in her home. Her teachings have produced a principal, a carpenter, a fireman, educators, preachers, consultants, entrepreneurs and government administrators. This includes her grandson, Dr. Akili Hinson and his wife, Dr. Shante Aris Hinson, owners of Juno Medical with offices across the country.

Geraldine was more than an extraordinary woman; she was a beacon of love to her family, church, and community. Her home was a haven for many foster children she helped raise, leaving a lasting impact on their lives. Her legacy lives on through her children, grandchildren, and the numerous individuals she touched with her wisdom and compassion. Ricky Allen often brought his twins by to see her and his brother Jamel Bennett still resides in Geri’s home and helped her around the house. Chris Earl, one of her foster children, grew up to foster his own sister and sent her to college because of the profound influence Geri had in his life.

Geraldine Davis Blackwell is predeceased by her parents, former spouse, sister Rose “Sissy” Melvin, brother Lester “Bubby” Davis, and daughter in law Alysia Johnson. She leaves to cherish her precious memory: Geri’s son William “Skip” Blackwell, wife Irene, son Larry Wilson (Joshua, Briana, Marcus, & Paris), and Larry’s mother Lillian Blackwell Barber; Geri’s daughter Cynthia Hinson, husband Weldon, and their children, Weldon Jr. & Delores Hinson (Jasmine & Weldon III), Kwame & Stephanie Price (Jonathan), Binta Hinson (Jasmine), Akili & Shante Hinson (Sydney & McKenna), Anika Hinson Okoko & Lungi Okoko (Micah, Kindu, Lohamba, & Tucker); Geri’s daughter Carol Blackwell Curry, husband Michael Curry, their children: Shanna Curry (Michaela & Max), Mike Curry Jr. & Sherisse (Olive); Geri’s son Reginald “Reggie” Blackwell, wife [Alysia], and their children: Reggie (Bell, Mckenzie, Paige), Jerald “JB” (Jezia), and Alyse (Joccoe, Jr); Her nieces & nephews from her sister Sissy (Darrell, Diana, Denise & Dana), from her brother Bubby (Dennis, Denise, Delores, Dana, Sharonna, & Marissa), and Felton Walker her long time dear friend as well as a multitude of extended family and friends.

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