Elaine Gerald Dillon passed away peacefully at South Baldwin Regional Medical Center in Foley, Alabama, on Nov. 9, 2021, at the age of 78. She was born on Apr. 23, 1943, to Norman Staples Gerald, Sr. and Mildred Cooper Gerald in Mobile, Alabama. She attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School and was a 1961 graduate of Convent of Mercy High School. She met and married Julian Dillon, her husband of 44 years, on June 25, 1977, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Elaine was an Executive Secretary for The Red Cross in Mobile, Alabama, and retired after many years as an Executive Secretary with Munich American Reassurance in Atlanta, Georgia. Upon retirement, she and Julian moved to Foley, Alabama, in 2000. Elaine found countless new friends through her involvement in the Newcomer’s Club, Recipe Club, and her Bunko group, but her passion was entertaining family and friends, especially during the holidays. Her beautiful home was warm and welcoming, her hospitality unmatched, and her delicious meals prepared with love. Elaine’s love of people was obvious to all, and she never met a stranger.
Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Norman Staples Gerald, Jr., and sister Carolyn Sue Gerald. Survivors include brother Louis Richard Gerald, II (Marianne) of Daphne, Alabama; sister-in-law Peggy Farmer Gerald of Mobile, Alabama; nieces Ginger Gerald Spry (Stephen) of Dothan, Alabama and Kristi Gerald Rozum of Fairhope, Alabama; nephews Norman Staples (Tripp) Gerald, III (Connie) of Mobile, Alabama and Louis Richard Gerald, III (Mary Ann) of Spanish Fort, Alabama; one great-niece, four great nephews, two great-great nephews, and several cousins.
Funeral Services were held on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, at 2 p.m. from the Chapel of Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home in Foley. The family received friends from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on the day of the service. A private burial will take place at a later date in Mississippi. The family would like to thank Jodee Jarrett with Kindred Hospice and Nurse Practitioner Lateisha Scott for their compassionate and loving care of Elaine. In lieu of flowers, donations in Elaine’s memory may be made to the Foley United Methodist Church, The Alzheimer’s Association (1 Metroplex Drive, Suite 230, Birmingham, AL 35209), or the charity of your choice.
