Anita C. Gerson

Mrs. Anita C. Gerson, age 91, of Macclenny, FL passed away peacefully Friday, February 15 at her home. Mrs. Gerson was born in Jesup, GA to the late William Clyburn Townsend Gilbert and Willie Mae Mathews Gilbert. She spent several years in Tampa, FL and moved back to Baker County over 25 years ago. Mrs. Gerson was a member of Christian Fellowship Temple, Macclenny, FL and a former member of the St. James Episcopal Church. She was a master gardener, life member of the P.T.A., life member of the Garden Club of Baker County, and a member of the South Carolina Historical Society. Mrs. Gerson was also a member of the French Huguenot Society, Baker County Council on Aging and the Macclenny Woman’s Club and was the 2015 recipient of the Delores Barr Weaver Elder Advocate Award, Elder Source . She is preceded in death by her parents, her late husband, George Louis Gerson, daughter in law, Patricia Ballenger and her son, Thomas Lawrence Bailes. She is survived by her two sons, Michael Alexander Ballenger of Macclenny, Florida and William Andrew Bailes of Glen St. Mary, Florida; Three sisters, Rachel F. Nasrallah of Tampa, Florida, Charlotte E. Ramirez of Griffin, Georgia and Margaret E. Fusse of Hendersonville, Tennessee; One brother, William Peake Gilbert of Fayetteville, Georgia; Four grandchildren, Michelle B. Bates, Sasha Evdokimov, Andrei Bailes and James Gazes; Two great-grandchildren, Josh Bates and Brandon Bates. A funeral service to honor the life of Mrs. Gerson will be held at 11 A.M. Thursday, Feb. 21, in the Christian Fellowship Temple with Rev. David Thomas and Rev. Tim Thomas officiating. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Macclenny, Florida. Visitation and gathering with the family will be from 10 to 11 A.M. Thursday (One hour before services) at the church. In lieu of flowers please consider memorials to the Baker County Council of Aging, 101 East Macclenny Avenue, Macclenny, Florida. GUERRY FUNERAL HOME, 420 East Macclenny Avenue, Macclenny, Florida is in charge of arrangements. www.guerryfuneral home.net