On July 12, 1941, Mattie Lou (Hogan) Williams and Nathaniel Williams gave birth to their seventh child, Geraldine Williams. Born in Columbus, Mississippi, a part of the area called the Golden Triangle which consists of Columbus, Starkville and West Point, Geraldine would not have much time to establish southern roots. Shortly before her second birthday, her family moved to East St. Louis, Illinois where she began to live the experiences that would tell her story.

Being the seventh of fifteen children, Geraldine was raised in a very structured home. Part of this upbringing included attending church, regularly. She was raised in Bethlehem Baptist Church where she received Christ at a young age and was later baptized at the age of ten. Geraldine also began singing at a young age and has been described as having the voice of an angel. So you can understand why her home was flooded with great music from gospel to R&B. Her youngest daughter, Christie, recently wrote in her book about her mother's love of music:

She listened to almost every genre of music including jazz, R&B, rock, pop, blues, and gospel...I'd sit on the floor, waiting for the next request, watching as she rocked back and forth, tapping her feet to the rhythm.

Geraldine, affectionately referred to as Jellybean by her father, was educated in District 189. She attended Dunbar Elementary School, Hughes Quinn Middle and Lincoln Senior High. At the age of 19, Geraldine left home and married Walter (Lewis) Cruise, Sr. To this union they were blessed by their seven children: Beverly, Alicia, Walter, Michelle, Monulita, Donta and Christie.

Geraldine took great pride in her family. So, it goes without saying that she was heartbroken when tragedy struck in 1992. Geraldine lost her youngest son, Donta at the age of 19. It is often said that it is unnatural for a child to precede their parents in death. This was no exception. And while Geraldine grieved the loss of her child, she remained a dedicated matriarch to her surviving children through celebrating their many accomplishments and providing guidance and support.

She led a quiet and simple life where she took great joy in her children and grandchildren. Geraldine had a great sense of style and was a lover of vintage. She had a discriminating eye and could tell a well-made garment. She was always very well dressed.

Over the course of her lifetime, Geraldine had great family and friends. She has often been described as kind-hearted, strong-willed, giving, honest, loving, dedicated and just nice.

For all of these reasons and many more, she leaves to celebrate her life and miss her physical presence: one son ~ Walter Cruise, III of Anna, IL; four daughters and their spouses ~ Beverly (Johnny) of (Terrell, TX), Alicia (Hosey) of (Fairview Heights, IL), Michelle of (Belleville, IL), Monulita of (Fairview Heights, IL) and Christie Cruise, PhD of (Belleville, IL); 9 grandchildren; five siblings ~ Bobbie Jean Williams, Carol Ann Jones, Edward Williams and Deborah Williams; and one special family friend ~ Eloise Taylor and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Preceding her in death is her son Donta Cruise, ten of her siblings and her best friend Frieda Vaughn.