Geraldine Artz

Geraldine Sue (Hite) Artz, age 80, fondly known as Gerry, passed away at her home in Panama City Beach, Florida on February 17, 2021. She was born July 15, 1940 in Newark, Ohio to the late Ralph E. and Olvia A. Heimerl Hite. Gerry was raised on a farm in the Granville, Ohio area where she attended the Outville Presbyterian Church. She was a 1958 graduate of Watkins Memorial High School in Pataskala, Ohio where she was active in the band. During high school, she was a waitress at the Shamrock Motel near Etna, Ohio. On September 14, 1958, she married Earl (Bud) William Artz of Hebron, Ohio and together they raised six surviving children: daughters Brenda and Marie Artz of Panama City Beach, Florida and sons Steven (Danielle) Artz of Springfield, Tennessee and Jason (Brittany), Jamie, and Jeffrey Artz of Nashville, Tennessee. In addition, Gerry is survived by five grandchildren - Stevie Beth (Steven) Crossland and Megan (Ric) Keyes of Greenbrier, Tennessee and Jesse, Lizzie, and David Artz of Panama City Beach, Florida as well as three great-grandchildren (Turner and Leo Crossland and Frankie Keyes - all of Tennessee) and several cousins. She also leaves behind her brother, Robert (Anne) Hite of Blacklick, Ohio and their two children and four grandchildren as well as sister-in-law, Helen Artz of Newark, Ohio. Gerry and Bud lived in the Granville, Hebron, and Pataskala areas before moving to Nashville in 1969. While in Pataskala, they were active members of the Pataskala Nazarene Church. After arriving in Nashville, Gerry served as the Administrative Assistant to Gospel Singers Buck and Dottie Rambo for several years. As giving people and passionate advocates for children, Gerry and Bud served as foster parents to more than 50 children over 38 years, being named at one time as Foster Parents of the Year by the State of Tennessee. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Cole and Garrett Funeral Home in Goodlettsville,TN. Interment will be in the Spring Hill Robertson County Cemetery next to Bud who passed away in 2006 following 48-years of marriage. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Covenant Care Hospice in Panama City, Florida.