Geraldine Bernadette Spears arrive this life on November 8, 1935. She was the only child for her father, Reese Smith and the oldest child for her mother Gladys Riles, who both preceded her in transitioning to the next life.

Geraldine or Gerri as she was affectionately called by many lived her entire life in East St. Louis and it's where she received her formal education. Geraldine was baptized at an early age. In her early years, Geraldine moved to Goose Hill with her father where she met and married Melvin Spears Sr. and to this union 10 children were born, 8 daughters and 2 sons.

Geraldine held various jobs throughout her life. As a housekeeper with the most being Stouffer's Hotel, later renamed The Clarion. It was at Stouffer's that she met on of her dearest life-long friends, Earlene Rogers. Geraldine also had loving and life-long friends in her sisters-in-law, Eulace (Bean) Spears and Shirley Scott who both preceded her in death. Geraldine was a dedicated and devoted mother to her 10 children and became a beloved Matriarch among the family she created. Geraldine not only embraced her children but their friends also and her house was a welcoming place for those in need  and this spirit lives on in her children. At all times their homes would be filled with love, laughter and great food.

Geraldine departed this life on October 24, 2021 in her home in the presence of her beloved family. Her husband Melvin Spears Sr., her parents Reese Smith and Gladys Riles, her siblings, Sylvia, Felton, Sharon and Charles, her favorite aunt Thelma, Uncle Charles (Brother) her children Sherri and Rodney and Grandson James Betts III all preceded her in death. She leaves to cherish her 8 children Nadine Anthony-Ivory, Delphine (Robert) Spears, Melvin (Pam) Spears, Jr., Carrie (Delacey) Young, Beverly (Gregory) Cox, Jr., Kimberly (Calvin) Dubard, Dana (Joe) Spears and Tracy Spears; 3 siblings Ylinda Gully, Felicia Osborne and John Riles; two brother-in-laws, Donell Spears and James Spears; her favorite niece Debra Wilson; her protector grandson LaMontez Spears and her caregiver and oldest special granddaughter Reckel Spears, 19 grandkids, 49 great grandkids, 49 great-grandkids and 8 great-great-grandkids; there are also a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who will miss and cherish the great times spent together.