Geraldine Strawder Conger

Geraldine Strawder Conger, of Thomasville, Georgia, born in Moultrie on February 4, 1937, went home to be with her Heavenly Father, family, and many brothers and sisters in Christ on Thursday, December 15, 2022, at her home in Baxley surrounded by her beloved family.

Geraldine Conger, born to Abbie Preston and Minnie Lee Ward Strawder, developed her strong and well-known work ethic working alongside her four sisters and two brothers on the farm milking cows before dawn, plowing the fields with a mule, and doing homework by kerosene lamplight. Her dearest memories of times “cutting up” with her siblings and their beaus would always bring smiles as she retold the many jokes they would play on each other and how they always found the humor in every circumstance.

When she was 15, she met the love of her life, Warren Conger, and they married on December 6, 1952, and together raised their four children (Gary Wayne Conger, Larry Gene Conger, Brenda Joyce Conger Vickers, and Cindy Leigh Conger Pennewell). She later became the proud grandmother to a whopping 46 grandchildren (12 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren).

After many years of service in the lunchroom, Geraldine retired from Thomasville City Schools and one would never find another who kept a tighter accounting system. She then worked in retail at Belk Department Store in Thomasville where she formed many lasting friendships through her time there.

Her greatest joys were her dear family, and her deepest longing was that each member of her family would come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. She always found a way to give to those around her, whether it was providing clothes to those in need or delighting those around her with her good, southern cookin’ – her delectable thin-layer peanut butter (and chocolate!) cake, pumpkin pie with lemon flavoring, wedding cookies, divinity, and Mexican candy will forever bring warm memories to those privileged to share her table.  She loved the simple joys of life, singing with her sisters, loving on her grandbabies, sneaking treats to her Chihuahua named Ginger, checking on her 12 “fancy” hens, keeping a pristine yard, picking blueberries, and above all else, she loved being surrounded by the people she loved.

A service celebrating her life and heavenly homegoing will be at 3:00 PM on Monday, December 19th at China Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Moultrie, Georgia (visitation for friends will be at 2:00).

Until we meet again, dear Mama and Granny, we “Love ya.”

Survived by:
Son, Gary Wayne Conger (Rachel Conger)
Son, Larry Gene Conger, Sr. (Cathy Conger)
Daughter, Brenda Joyce Conger Vickers (Jeffery Vickers, Sr.)
Daughter, Cindy Leigh Conger Pennewell (Phillip Pennewell)

Grandchildren:
Amy Beach (Clay)
Lori Conger
Valerie Conger
Daniel Conger (Tiffany)
Larry Conger, Jr. (Steffany)
Terry Conger (Brook)
Jeffery Vickers, Jr. (Ashlie)
Jared Vickers (Sharon)
Jilynn Layton (Brian)
Jamie Kayton (Kyle)
Maranda Quigg (Justin)
Rebekah Hibbard (Jonathan)

Great Grandchildren:
Anna Crabtree (Freddie)
Hannah Conger
Gabriel Conger
Reanna Conger
Lyrica Conger
Tyler Conger
Maverick Conger
Ella Conger
Caleb Conger
Joseph Conger
Macey Day (Matthew)
Ryn Conger
Turner Conger
Eilee Conger
Alden Conger
Hollyn Conger
Moses Conger
Drake Vickers
Titus Vickers
Brayden Vickers
Adalina Vickers
Chase Vickers
Brooklyn Vickers
Adalyn Vickers
Harley Layton
Gage Layton
Dana Kayton
Luke Kayton
Alexis Kate Quigg

Great-Great Grandchildren:
Kayden Conger
Kai Conger
Tavis Crabtree

Proceeded in Death:
Spouse, Warren Conger
Father, Abbie Preston Strawder
Mother, Minnie Lee Ward Strawder
Sister, Kathryn Tillman Hand (Soloman Tillman, Russell Hand)
Sister, Mary Francis Strawder
Sister, Evelyn Brightwell (Cecil Brightwell)
Brother, Thomas Strawder (Joann Strawder)
Sister, Dorothy Wright (D.W. Wright)
Brother, Eugene Strawder (Diane Strawder)
Sister, Jaunita Sasser (Ronnie Sasser)
Great Grandchild, Adam Grant Conger
Great Grandchild, Nora Claire Conger

*Survived and loved by a host of nieces and nephews, beloved brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law, some of which are living and many others in the presence of our Lord and Savior.