Geraline Stanford McKeever McDuffie

Geraline Stanford McKeever McDuffie

Geraline Stanford McKeever McDuffie peacefully departed this life at home on Thursday, November 14, 2024 with her family at her side.

The eldest of 2 children, she was born in Cincinnati, Ohio to the late Paul Stanford Sr. and the late Alice Malone Stanford on July 11, 1933.

Geraline, affectionately known as “Tootie’, Nana, and Grandma, and “Ma’ to many others, was a woman of great faith that she passed down to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Her faith was exhibited in her gift of helping others who were in need, and even taking people into her home. Her motto in life, based on her faith in God was “This too, shall pass.”

From childhood, Geraline has served in some capacity in God’s Church, starting at Phillips Chapel at the age of 9, where she attended Sunday School and sang In the Junior Choir. At the age of 20 she united with The Mount Sinai Baptist Church under the pastorate of Rev. H. Kimberly where she served in several aspects of ministry. She was a charter member of the former Grace Baptist Church, founded 1961 (now The New Grace Missionary Church) where she served under two Pastors:  The founder, the late Rev Chris London Sr. (her uncle) and the late Rev. Albert Ross Sr., as church secretary, Trustee, sang in the Mass and Senior Choirs, serving as president of the Senior Choir, taught Vacation Bible School and Sunday School, served on the Missionary Society, The Pastor’s Aide, The culinary Ministry and attended BTU, Sunday School, and Bible Study.

She united with the New Bethel Baptist Church in August of 1987, under the pastorate of the late Rev. Lonnie Kwadjo Asim Simon, where she served in the Deaconess, WEB Lewis/Stella Bailey Mission (participating as a delegate for many years in The Youngstown/Canton/Warren sub-district of the Northern Ohio Baptist District Association (NOBDA) where she served as President for many years, The monthly food giveaway, Grief Ministry, and Senior Ministry.

She attended Sunday School, and Bible Study, Church Conferences, and Seminars. She continued to serve under the Rev. Kenneth L. Simon, affectionately known as her “son from another mother”, fully supporting him in all aspects of his God-led mission in all aspects of the church and loved being a part of the New Bethel Church family. Even as her health prevented her from attending Church, Bible Study and Sunday School in person, she participated from home via phone and watched LIVE online.

She leaves to mourn her loss, yet cherish her memory, 4 daughters, Alice McKeever of South Bend, Indiana, Lauren Richardson, and Min Dr. FloEtta Jordan (Her caregiver) Of Youngstown, Ohio, and Min. Stephanie McDuffie of Cleveland, Ohio; 21 grandchildren, 66 great-grandchildren, 27 great-great-grandchildren, her brother Paul Stanford Jr. (Josephine) Newel, New Jersey, her daughter-in-law Mary McKeever, “favorite” cousin Lawrence Brooks, her aunt, Elizabeth Malone, Cleveland, Ohio, good friend Marjorie Jones and a great host of relatives.

Preceding her in death to meet her at heaven’s gates are her parents, her husband, Floyd McDuffie Jr., her sons, Marvin McDuffie, Floyd A. McDuffie Sr., and Lawrence L. McKeever III, her grandsons Antwan McKeever, Turhan Henderson Jr., and her granddaughter Andrea McDuffie Miller, whom she reared.

Visitation will be 10:00-11:00 am Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at New Bethel Baptist Church, 1507 Hillman St., Youngstown, Ohio 44507, and funeral service will begin at 11:00 am.

Services of Dignity and Love entrusted to L.E. Black, Phillips & Holden Funeral Home.

Don’t cry for me, don’t shed a tear

The time I’ve shared with you will always be

And when I’m gone, life carries on

Don’t cry for me

We’ll always be

Don’t cry for me

(CeCe Winans)

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