Geraldine M. Stennett

Geraldine Margaret Birdsall, 89, was born on June 12, 1931 and became an eternal angel on July 25, 2020 at home with her family by her side.

Born and raised in Harlem, NY, Gerri (as she was affectionately known) attended the public school system and after graduating high school, she met and married Francis Leroy Dobbins. Together they had a son, Michael Jerome Dobbins. Geraldine went on to work at the famed Topsy’s restaurant until 1964 and soon after she left to work for Pinkerton Security at the 1964 World’s Fair in Queens, NY. It was during this time when Gerri met and married William (aka Stennett) and had a daughter, Danielle Marie Stennett-Neris.

Geraldine returned to work as a Medical Transcriptionist for Long Island Jewish Hospital until her retirement in 1988. Upon their retirement, Gerri and Stennett relocated to Virginia Beach in 1989. It was in her new beloved hometown where she along with two of her best friends founded the Virginia Beach chapter of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW).

Geraldine was preceded in death by her husband, William Hubert Stennett; parents, William and Laura Birdsall; brother and his wife, Leonard Sr. and Barbara Birdsall; sister, Jacqueline Birdsall; sister-in-law, Barbara Birdsall..

Geraldine is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Vonnie, stepdaughter, Barbara Stennett, daughter and son-in-law, Danielle and Domingo Neris Jr., four grandchildren, Charnetta Green, Antoine Stennett, Christopher Dobbins and Dakota Stennett-Neris and a host of great grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and friends.