Violet Geraldine Merriott Harp Obituary (1923 - 2012)

Violet Geraldine Merriott Harp, age 88, was called Home Friday, February 17, 2012. She was an incredible wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, and friend who led a life of service and ministry until the day of her passing. Born in Hot Springs, AR, May 6, 1923, "Geraldine" was the oldest child of her loving parents, Wiley and Winnie Merriott. One of only three girls in her high school graduating class, Geraldine graduated from Fountain Lake Senior High School April 18, 1940. With World War II raging in Europe and throughout the Pacific, a critical shortage of civilian nurses developed stateside. Answering her first call to service, Geraldine joined the United States Cadet Nurse Corps, and became part of the largest and youngest group of uniformed women to serve their country during World War II. After her marriage to the love of her life, Lloyd D. Harp, on December 17, 1944, Geraldine graduated with honors from the Leo N. Levi Memorial Hospital Training School for Nurses January 25, 1945. Geraldine went on to nurse at the Hot Springs Army Navy Hospital, St Joseph's in Hot Springs, and served as Head Nurse at Baptist Memorial in Blytheville, Ark. From Arkansas, to Texas, to Colorado, to California, Geralidine's years of ministry included her devotion to the elderly and multiple leadership roles in her faith as a Christian. Geraldine is survived by two daughters, Merriott Jane Terry and husband Jack, Regina Kay Freberg/West and husband Bill West, three grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. We will miss her desperately, but we look forward to being reunited with her in the blink of His eye- oh glorious day.