Geraldine Punzel Stevens

Geraldine Punzel Stevens, 79, of Hardeville died peacefully March 11, 2021, surrounded by her family. She was born in Charleston, South Carolina, on August 3, 1942, to the late Lawrence Fredrick Punzel and Jacqueline Delphine Punzel.

Geraldine graduated from Hardeeville High School where she met the love of her life, Ernest Martin Stevens. They were married in October 1961 and were constant companions for 55 years.

Before her retirement in 2007, Geraldine was a dedicated employee of Great Dane Trailers in Savannah, Georgia. She worked there almost 40 years where she met many of her closest and lifelong friends.

Geraldine enjoyed life and loved to travel with Martin on their motorcycle. She loved to go antiquing and had the sharpest eye for the most interesting collectibles. A visit to her house usually had folks walking around looking as if they were in a gift shop or museum. Likewise she was a talented seamstress, gardener, and homemaker.

Her greatest talent, though, was cooking. If you knew Geraldine, she probably fed you. She was arguably the best cook in Hardeeville and her dishes are legendary.

Geraldine loved the Lord and was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Hardeeville. She and Martin were instrumental in starting the Church and spent many hours involved in the activities there. At the end of her life, Geraldine was ready to leave her worn body and was looking forward to meeting Jesus.

Of all her accomplishments, she was most proud of her family. She and Martin had three children that they loved dearly. Their daughter, Miranda, gave them three grandchildren that became their greatest loves. While Geraldine was an excellent mother, she was The. Best. Gigi. Ever.  Her grandchildren meant the world to her and she loved them unconditionally, without reservation, and with all the pride a grandparent could possibly have. After Martin passed in 2017, she moved to Spartanburg, SC to spend the remainder of her life close to them.

Geraldine was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Martin; one son, Lawrence Fredrick; her godparents, George and Mayme Fenogle; and her best friend, Billie Jo Wilson.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Miranda McNair; son, Todd Stevens (Robin); grandchildren, Abigail, Harrison, and Grayson Havlin; Sisters, Saundra Punzel and Diane Sauls (Martin); Nephews, Tripp Rentz (Iliana) and Marty Sauls (Anissa); Niece, Cammie Hahn (Mark); and godchildren, Bart Wilson and Janis Williams (Steve).

She was many things to many people. She will be tremendously missed.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm, Monday, March 15, 2021 at Maye River Baptist Church Cemetery, 3507 Okatie Hwy, Bluffton, SC.

In lieu of flowers please consider memorials to the Wounded Warrior Project in memory of Geraldine Stevens. https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

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