Geraldine Cassell Hardister

DURHAM – Martha Geraldine (Jerry) Wells Hardister, age 92, died on October 3, 2020. She was born on May 2, 1928 to Luther Cassell and Emma Shackleford Cassell.

Jerry was born and raised in High Point, NC, the youngest of 11 children. After graduating from high school, she moved to Atlanta, where she met her husband (and true love), Tim Wells, who became an architect. Jerry was a homemaker, raising her three children in South Carolina, Ohio and North Carolina. When her children were still young, her husband was diagnosed with a long term, debilitating terminal illness. Through her personal strength, she lovingly sheparded her family through this difficult crisis; caring for her invalid husband, working full time at a local hosiery mill and raising three teenagers. After her husband’s death, she remarried and lived in North Myrtle Beach, SC working a variety of jobs in the area including book keeper for several local businesses. She loved to crochet and needlepoint. Recently, she had moved to Durham to be close to her daughter. Everyone that came into contact with Jerry came away knowing they had met a kind, smart, independent, strong and caring woman.

Jerry is survived by her three children, Lynne Wells Somers, Tom Wells and Mike Wells, two grandsons, Kevin Rohweder, Nate Rohweder and sister Frankie Melvin.

A graveside service will be held at Oakwood Memorial Park Mausoleum in High Point on Thursday, October 8, 2020 at 11:00 AM. Click here to view the Livestream service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to National MS Society.