Geraldine "Gerry" Hubbs Bair

Geraldine Hubbs “Gerry” Bair of Lenoir passed away Saturday, March 23, 2024 at UNC Caldwell Hospital of complications from pneumonia. She was 84. Gerry was born in Asheville, NC, the daughter of the late Lenora Juszczyk. She was raised by her mother, along with two sets of aunts and uncles, Thomas and Fleeda Smith, and Wilkerson and Gladys Haynes, all of Asheville. She is survived by her husband, William Bair (with whom she recently celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary); her stepfather, Edwin Jusczcyk (Susan) of Asheville; her sister, Patricia Freeman (Robert), of Knoxville, TN; her sons, Brock Bair (Tamara Wieder) of Newton, MA and Derek Bair (McIver) of Hickory, NC; and her grandsons, Will and Sam Bair, of Newton, MA.

A graduate of Duke University, Gerry was committed throughout her life to the development and well-being of teenagers, both in her community and around the world. From 1973 to 1978, she taught advanced biology at Memphis Preparatory School in Memphis, TN, where she was known as “Mama Bair” to her students, who often would gather around her kitchen table to discuss school and life.

After moving to Lenoir in 1978, Gerry shifted her professional interests to library science. She spent two years as the librarian at Bunker Hill High School in Claremont, NC, and then served as the librarian at West Caldwell High School in Lenoir from 1984 to 2003.

As an educator, Gerry was known for her interest in developing international understanding in her students. She led dozens of student tours to Europe, and was particularly involved in AFS Intercultural Programs, an international exchange organization for high school students. She and her family hosted five different year-long exchange students during her career. Philippe Goineau (France), Matthieu Mercier (France), Brit Neltnor (France), Katrin Miletich (Austria), and Lina Jochim (Germany) each spent a year as part of the Bair family in Lenoir, and were considered thereafter to be lifelong “Bairs” by Gerry and her family.

Gerry was active in AFS leadership as well. She served for years as AFS’ international exchange coordinator for Western North and South Carolina, and later as a member of AFS’ national board of directors.

A committed Christian, Gerry was a Presbyterian elder, a church videographer and a leader in her church’s youth ministry. She was always active in her community. Gerry was a sustaining member of the Lenoir Service League, a past chairperson of the United Way of Caldwell County, a member of the board of directors of The Coffey Foundation, and a Helping Hands volunteer.

After retiring from education, Gerry served as a bookkeeper for Bair Marketing, the family business. In recent years, Gerry loved spending time with her grandchildren, discussing literature with the TQLS book club, and participating in the “Java Jewels,” a group of loyal friends who gathered every Tuesday morning for breakfast.

A memorial service will be held Friday, March 29, 2004, at 2:00PM at Lenoir Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends following the service.

Memorials may be made to the BrightFocus Foundation for macular degeneration research (https://donate.brightfocus.org/mdr/march-2024), or to AFS Intercultural Programs (https://afs.org/donate/).

Evans Funeral Service is honored to serve the Bair family.