Mrs. Geraldine Grimes Boothe, 93, a noted long-time educator and community leader of Opp passed away Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at her residence. Funeral services will be held at 11 am Friday, April 21, 2017 from the First Baptist Church of Opp with entombment following in Peaceful Acres Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held at the church two hours prior to the service. Rev. Randy Breedlove will be officiating.

Mrs. Boothe was born January 8, 1924 in the Rose Hill Community of Covington County, the daughter of Walter Grady Grimes and Byrdie Jackson Grimes. She graduated from Straughn High School in 1942 and later attended Troy State College, now Troy University, receiving a degree in elementary education in 1957.

Following her graduation from TROY, Mrs. Boothe began a teaching career in Covington County that exceeded 44 years, touching thousands of students’ lives in the process. She began her career at Babbie School and then Beulah School before transferring to Fleeta School where she would spend 41 years. In addition to her teaching duties, Mrs. Boothe was also the cheerleading and basketball coach. She served on the State Course of Study Committee in 1965 and in 1987 was named Covington County Teacher of the Year.

Mrs. Boothe retired from the classroom in 1991, but remained active in the community. She was a member and officer of the Mizell Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, the Three Arts Club, and the Opp Cultural Arts Center. Her interest in art led to her long-time hobby of china painting, which she enjoyed until her passing.

Mrs. Boothe was a member and supporter of the Opp Chamber of Commerce and contributed her time to the Opp Downtown Redevelopment Authority. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Retired Teachers Association of Covington County. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, an international society of outstanding women educators, for almost 70 years and served as chapter president. She is a former Opp Citizen of the Year and in 2016 was inducted in the Opp Hall of Fame.

Mrs. Boothe was an active member of First Baptist Church of Opp and a long-time Sunday school teacher.

She is survived by her son & daughter-in-law, Alan Boothe & Anne of Troy; son, Gene Boothe of Troy; grandchildren, April Walden of Dothan, Melissa Hyche of Birmingham, Shanna Boothe of Auburn, Jason Boothe of Zion Chapel, and Kevin Boothe of Troy; 11 great-grandchildren; special, Peb Boothe; and siblings, Melvin Grimes, Glenn Grimes, Sharrie Peterson and Madonna Johnson. She was preceded in death by her husband, J.C. Boothe.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made in her memory to the Troy University Foundation, 304B Adams Administration Building, Troy University, AL 36082, the First Baptist Church of Opp, 110 E. Hart Avenue Opp, AL, 36467, or Covenant Hospice of Dothan.