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Dr. Gerry Cadenhead Fletcher passed away unexpectedly on July 22, 2013 at Forrest General Hospital, Hattiesburg, MS.
She is survived by her husband, Col. Tyler Fletcher, Hattiesburg, MS., brother Jim Cadenhead (Betsy), Marshall, TX., sons Desmond Fletcher (Stacy), Hattiesburg, MS., Hugh Fletcher (Jane), Mountain View, CA., Dr. Gardner Fletcher (Carol), Hattiesburg, MS., and Tyler R. Fletcher, Salado, TX.; grandchildren Dr. Devon Fletcher, Richmond, VA., Darcy Keel (Darren), Atlanta, GA., Leslie Fletcher, San Francisco, CA., Lindsey Fletcher, Los Angeles, CA., Stephen Fletcher (Whitney), Hattiesburg, MS., and Currie Fletcher, also of Hattiesburg, MS.
Dr. Fletcher was born August 6, 1939 in Marshall, TX. She earned degrees at Baylor and the University of Colorado before completing her PhD at The University of Texas at Austin. A distinguished scholar, she was permanent president of her nursing class at Baylor, designated a distinguished alumnus of Baylor, a member of the Baylor Line as well as a member of several honor societies. An avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys and collegiate athletics, she was a member of The University of Southern Mississippi Athletic Foundation board, as well as the Circle of Champions and the President's Circle.
Her work experience included nursing at the Baylor Medical Center in Dallas, TX., and Vice President of Memorial Hospital in Gulfport, MS. She was the first Dean of the College of Nursing at The University of Southern Mississippi, a position from which she retired in 2000.
In lieu of flowers, Gerry would be most pleased if gifts were made to The University of Southern Mississippi Athletic Foundation, and the Baylor School of Nursing.
Graveside services will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday at Block Cemetery in Marshall, TX. Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 PM Friday at Down's Funeral Home in Marshall, TX.
Memorial services will be held Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at 6:00 PM at Danforth Chapel on the University of Southern Mississippi Campus.
Hulett-Winstead Funeral Home in Hattiesburg, MS is in charge of arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Dr. Cadenhead Fletcher. She was a great mentor to me during my years as a faculty member in the College of Nursing at the University of Southern Mississippi. She had a unique way of motivating faculty and students to strive for excellence. Please accept my condolences in your loss.
Kay Hobson
July 31, 2013
Colonel Fletcher,
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time. You have made a significant impact in both our lives and if we can assist you in any way please let us know.
James and Sandy Henderson
July 29, 2013
Our prayers are with you and your family
Danny Fitch
July 27, 2013
Jim, I am sorry for the loss of your sister Gerry. May God give you and your family comfort and peace.
Gayla Crayton
July 27, 2013
Saddened to hear about Dr. Cadenhead-Fletcher's passing. I worked with her at Memorial Hospital in Gulfport. She was a wonderful administrator who had the respect of all. I was so happy when I heard she married Col. Tyler Fletcher, whom I worked for many years ago while I attended USM. May the Lord bless your family during this time of grief. I'm sure she is already surrounded in Heaven by people she has touched along the way. God bless you all.
Maureen Hamel
July 26, 2013
We are sorry to hear of Gerry's death. You have our deepest sympathy.
Pink Williams family
July 25, 2013
I am truly saddened by the loss of Gerry. My condolences to the family at this time, especially to Tyler, Jim and Betsy. The Cadenhead family played a large part of my childhood, and I will be eternally grateful. Gerry was a kind and gentle soul, the world has lost one of its finest, and heaven now has a new angel.
Lisa Foster-McKenzie
July 25, 2013
I had the pleasure of knowing Gerry in many capacities. As a student myself, a colleague, and as a steadfast Dean and string leader. She had a certain peace about her, an aura if you will. She is a legacy. Rest in peace in your inherited kingdom.
Cindy Rouse
July 24, 2013
I am shocked and saddened by Gerry's untimely death. My sympathy to her family,especially to Tyler.
Billye Brown
July 24, 2013
The world, as well as the profession of nursing, has indeed lost a gem. I had the distinct honor of having Dr. Cadenhead as my dean when I was an undergraduate and graduate student as well as during my employment in the College of Nursing. She was a role model, mentor, and unmatched leader for the College. My thoughts and prayers are with her family at this difficult time. I am truly blessed to have known her.
Dr. Debbie Walker
July 24, 2013
I had the pleasure of knowing Gerry for only a few short years, but I am deeply touched by her passing, and I will miss her. She was a wonderful woman.
Sue Kelly
July 24, 2013
God is near to those that are broken at heart and those crushed in spirit he saves. God will sustain you and help you to endure.
July 24, 2013
Thoughts of sympathy are with your family at this difficult time. May the peace of God be with your family at this difficult time.
July 24, 2013
So sorry to hear about Gerry. We worked together at Memorial, she was such an inspiration to others and always the professional lady! She will be sorely missed.
Amy Steiner
July 24, 2013
Please take comfort in the fact that Dr. Cadenhead Fletcher touched lives and she will be missed by many. Dr. Cadenhead Fletcher hired me as I made a transition from nursing practice to academia. She was a very calming and wonderful first "Dean" to have mentor me through that transition. I thank GOD for her influence in my life. I pray for peace for her family in this very sad time. Cindy Welch
July 24, 2013
What shock to learn of Gerry's sudden death. She and I were classmates in nursing school at Baylor. After graduation, we live together for several years and enjoyed many activities. Her death will leave a gap in many people's hearts. Bettye Gauthreaux, Baylor Class 1961
July 24, 2013
Dr. Cadenhead will be greatly missed. She gave me the opportunity to begin working as administrative assistant in faculty/student services at USM in 1997. She was a wonderful leader and was very supportive of all her employees. I cherish wonderful memories of her and USM nursing. My prayers go out to her family for comfort during this time.
Lenell Ford
July 24, 2013
A very important person who touched so many lives. You are missed already!
Vickie L. Rogers
July 24, 2013
So sorry for your loss. Praying for you and family. Camellia Hospice
Rev Glenn Shows
July 24, 2013
Tyler, my thoughts and prayers are with you. So many will miss Gerry. She was special and touched many lives; she made the world a better place. I cherish the memories of working with her and having fun on our trips to watch USM football. Faye
Faye Anderson
July 24, 2013
Gerry was the Dean of the USM School of Nursing in Hattiesburg when we graduated in 1983. Gerry then came to Memorial and I got to work with her again for several years. She was a wonderful administrator. She had a great sense of humor and was gracious. I am so lucky to have been able to know and work with her.
Karen Clarke
July 24, 2013
I have seen Dr. Cadenhead-Fletcher in the halls of the College of Nursing many times since I came to work here in 2005. She was always very pleasant and very nice to talk with. I will pray for her familys guidance during this difficult time. May God bless her and them all.
Betty Anderson
July 24, 2013
Gerry will be missed. She provided significant leadership both educating and mentoring new nurses and in continually 'giving back' to the profession of nursing!
Karen Utterback
July 24, 2013
Tyler,
Sorry to her of the lost of your wife, Gerry. Prayers and blessings on you and your family. Butch and Peggy
Butch Prewitt
July 24, 2013
Everyone,
Gerry was a wonderful dean and nursing colleague who recruited me to USM during a very important time for me and my then adolescent & urban family. I am so grateful to Gerry for her offering me a faculty appointment at a time I needed a gentler place than West Philly to parent my children. The small community of Hattiesburg and USM was the perfect solution. At USM, my kids were in and out of the SON and knew many of my faculty colleagues, including Gerry, by first names. Everyone thrived with the caring, supportive academic environment. Jared is now teaching at a West Philly school; Z is in PhD program at UF; & Marlow is a teachers aide in a special needs elementary classroom in Madison. Also, with support from faculty and the SON, I was able to combine nursing academics and research/scholarship and began the most productive time of my academic career.
Upon leaving USM, I moved to Florida to be closer to my elderly mother and sister, who needed much care and assistance. First, I was at FSU, then I moved to the program at VSU. Since 2004, I have also been teaching p-mh nursing at FAMU during summers.
My thoughts are with Gerry's nursing colleagues, friends, and family during this time.
Sincerely, Selen Lauterbach
July 23, 2013
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