Elizabeth York Gerlock

Elizabeth York Floyd Gerlock peacefully passed from this world to the next surrounded by her family on Nov. 1, 2024, at Alive Hospice in Nashville. Her adventurous, open-minded and loving spirit will live on—both around us and within all she knew and loved. 

Elizabeth was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, and graduated from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill eager to put her English degree to use. An adventurer at an early age, Elizabeth’s first position after college was teaching high school in New York. There she met and married Frank Gerlock, with whom she had four children who became her lifeblood. After moving to be with her sister in Nashville in 1970, Elizabeth quickly found what would become one of many lifelong passions---helping those with special needs such as her own son, Edward York Gerlock, who had Down Syndrome. This interest led to a master’s degree in special education from Vanderbilt University and a career spent assisting those with developmental disabilities live a full life. In addition to her professional positions, she served more than 20 years on the Board of Mid-TN Supported Living, Inc., an organization committed to helping special needs individuals live in their own homes while participating in the community. Elizabeth loved her house perched high on a hill, eating meals on her deck while watching birds, seeing her flowers, enjoying the greenery and fresh air and staying in close contact with her family and a tremendous group of friends. Those friend groups developed from her many pursuits, which included camping, hiking, gardening, traveling—she visited six continents and countless countries—exercising, photography, reading, and being an active member of West End United Methodist Church. We will always cherish her zest for life, her photo albums, her humor, and her genuine interest and curiosity about others and life itself. 

Elizabeth is survived by her daughter, Kym Gerlock (Michael Read), two sons, Scott Gerlock and Jeff Gerlock (Lori Gerlock) and seven grandchildren: Laura Gerlock (Lisa Orlando), Eden Collins (Sam Collins), Julien Gerlock, Nina Jackson, Abbey Jackson, Lexi Gerlock, and Jenna Gerlock. She was preceded in death by her sister, Eunice “Pat” Floyd and son, Edward York Gerlock. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Mid-TN Supported Living Inc.