Several of us who knew Gerri from her time at The Lamb's Church of the Nazarene began praying for her, and it was truly miraculous that she was able to stay alive long enough for family and friends to visit and connect. A small group of us who knew her were able to pray over her through a social media call while she was still responsive. I'll always be grateful for that moment!
Please pray for this dear family as they sort through so many mixed feelings right now.
Gerri had a key role to play in my development as a young man. I was granted an internship at The Lamb's Church, but it hadn't been determined where I'd be spending my 15 hours each week. I met with the pastor to share my ministry experience and year at seminary. I met with the social worker and told her that I had a sociology/social work degree. I met with the artistic director to let her know I was working on a masters in theatre. But it was Gerri who took me under her wing... to file papers and run errands. And it was the very best thing that could have happened to me! It reminded me that I was there to serve, and I know that it set my heart in such a way that the rest of the training and experience was all focused on serving others. I've certainly tried to keep that attitude in all of my performing and coaching. I'm eternally grateful for Gerri's influence.
Here's her obituary:
Geraldine Mae Miller Castle, 73, died Monday, March 11, 2019, at Greenville Memorial Hospital in Greenville, SC from injuries sustained during a home invasion. Born November, 21st 1945, in Logan, Ohio, she was the daughter of Wilbur Wilson Miller and Monta Catherine Grim Miller (Walnut Street, Logan, Ohio). Gerri graduated from Logan High School in 1963. She attended Ohio Business College in Columbus, Ohio and Edison State College in Piqua, Ohio. She was an active member of the Church Of The Nazarene in Logan, Ohio, Piqua, Ohio, Clearwater, Florida, and Manhattan, New York. She worked as an Administrative Assistant at Logan Church of the Nazarene and as an early childhood teacher at Piqua Church of the Nazarene. In the 1990s, she was very honored to serve as the Office Manager for the Lambs Manhattan Church of the Nazarene, which housed two Off-Broadway theaters and a mission that served the homeless in Hell’s Kitchen, NY.
Gerri is survived by her daughters, Robin Carol Castle Fountain, and Dee Anna Castle Brown (Eric), as well as 9 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren, and a multitude of cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Lois Anne Miller, and her beloved husband, Garrett Dee Castle. A memorial and celebration of life will be held on November 29th, 2019, 4 pm at Lovely Lane Chapel, Epworth By The Sea, in St. Simons, Georgia.
