Dr. Geraldine Farmer

Dr. Geraldine Farmer, 81, of Springfield, TN, passed from this life on Tuesday, January 5, 2021, at her home surrounded by love, after a long illness.

Geraldine was born September 15, 1939, to Drewy and Nevida Burton Taylor in Brighton, Tennessee.  She attended schools in Tipton County, graduating valedictorian from Frazier High School at the age of 16.  To further her education, she matriculated at Lane College (Jackson, TN). While at Lane College, she was active in many student organizations, including science clubs, a band member as a majorette, and became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.   Gerre was a science tutor, and tutored quarterback/basketball player, Robert Farmer, from Springfield, TN. They married in Covington, TN on December 28, 1959.  She graduated from Lane College in May 1960, equipped with the knowledge and skills to become an exceptional educator, community servant, leader, and mentor; she continued to learn and share her love of learning with others.

Her teaching career began at Bransford High School and she taught at Springfield Jr. High/Westside Elementary (1960-1967).  She served as guidance counselor for a year in Tipton County.  In 1971, she was employed with Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools, Goodlettsville High School, where she taught science including Chemistry and Physics until 1984.  She also coached the girls and boys golf teams, taking them to the state tournament. After 1984, she served as Coordinator of Science for the State of Tennessee until the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools reclaimed her expertise where she served as their Coordinator of Science until she retired.

Dr. Farmer’s educational journey included a Master of Arts, Fisk University; Education Specialist, George Peabody College/Vanderbilt University; and Doctor of Education, Tennessee State University, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 1986. Geraldine continued formal education receiving various certifications and endorsements in science and math. Gerre’s passion was in education and loved her career of teaching students, mentoring student teachers, working at universities, and she continued learning until her health declined.

She was an active member of Banks Chapel United Methodist Church and labored untiringly through the years in various church ministries and established the Youth Education Ministry.

Dr. Farmer served on many boards in the Robertson County community, including Northcrest Hospital.  She was the first African American Female elected school board member on the Robertson County Board of Education.

Miss Gerre was preceded in death by her parents, and her sister, Ina Taylor Yarbrough.  She leaves to cherish her memory, husband of 61 years, Robert, daughter, Yvette Patrick (Joseph) and son, Robert L. Farmer, III (Lisa).  She was grandmother to Joseph Patrick II, Julian Farmer, Jade Johnson (William), and Jordan Patrick.  She also had 2 great grands, Lucas and Liliana Johnson.  Sister, Mary Drew Taylor Jones (Avery) and brother, Thomas Preston Taylor, brother-in-law, James E. Farmer, and sister-in-law, Shirley Johnson (Daniel), and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, co-workers, church members, travel companions, students and so many others.

In lieu of flowers or other expressions of condolence, the family requests memorial contributions be made payable to the Banks Chapel UM Church for the “Dr. Geraldine Farmer STEM Memorial Scholarship Fund”. All donations may be mailed c/o Robertson County Funeral Home, 2201 Memorial Blvd., Springfield, TN 37172.

If flowers grow in heaven, Lord, then pick a bunch for me.

Then place them in my mother’s arms and tell her they’re from me.

Tell her that I love and miss her and when she turns to smile,

Place a kiss upon her cheek and hold her for a while.

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