Jerrie Lee Gribble

Jerrie Lee Gribble’s heavenly Father called her home on May 18, 2026. She brought love, joy, and happiness to her family, friends, and everyone she contacted throughout her 82 years, 10 months, and 2 days on this earth.

She was born on July 16, 1943, in Boise, Idaho, the first child of James F. Greene and Fredna Wood. The family lived in a small apartment on Fourth Avenue South, now known as Rosehill Road, just a few blocks from the iconic Union Pacific Railroad Depot, on the Boise bench. They continued to live there until after her brother James was born in 1947. Her widowed paternal grandfather invited the family to leave these cramped quarters and join him at his home on Rim Street. Jerrie grew up there and attended Jefferson and Franklin Elementary Schools. Childhood diseases disrupted her second grade to the point that she missed the entire school year and had to repeat that grade. In the spring of 1953, Idaho Power transferred Jerrie’s father to a new work assignment and the family moved to McCall, Idaho.

While in McCall, Jerrie enjoyed outdoor activities that included snow skiing, camping, water skiing, swimming, including teaching swimming at the Public Beach on Payette Lake. She joined Job’s Daughters and became the bethel’s Honored Queen. She marched as a majorette with the McCall-Donnelly High School band and served as a cheerleader at sporting events. In 1961, the summer after her junior year in high school, another transfer returned her family to Boise, and Jerrie enrolled at Borah High School for her senior year. She joined the high school band as a majorette. In the spring of 1962, just prior to her graduation, she began dating Willard L. Gribble.

Following graduation with the Borah High School Class of 1962, Jerrie went to work at First Security Bank in Boise. After some time in the clearing department, she worked in the real estate section. One of her fondest memories included explaining how to calculate the interest on his mortgage to a customer who was a college math professor. Then, she worked as a dental assistant who also handled the office duties for a local dentist when he started his practice. In the spring of 1965, she and Willard became engaged, and they married on August 21, 1965, in the Star Chapel of the University Christian Church. After their honeymoon at Redfish Lake, the couple moved to Moscow so Willard could continue his studies at the University of Idaho.

Jerrie worked for First Security Bank and then the Moscow Hospital while Willard had a part-time job at the university student union. Willard completed his Civil Engineering degree in June 1966, accepted a job offer with the Engineering Department of E. I. duPont de Nemours, and Jerrie received news that she was expecting their first child. After a short visit with family in Boise, the coupe headed east to Wilmington, Delaware to report for the new job.

Over the years, their family expanded with the births of two children: Thomas in December, 1966 and Daylene in September, 1971. During their stay in Delaware both Jerrie and Willard took flying lessons and, after a transfer to Waynesboro, Virginia, earned their private pilot’s licenses. They used their flying skills to explore places and events on weekends that couldn’t be accomplished by driving. Through all of this, family remained their focus and their Christian faith grew.

Willard’s career opened new opportunities to see and experience many places. They lived, worked, or travelled through all fifty of the United States and more than twenty countries outside their home country. Jerrie learned to speak basic French and Dutch so she could communicate with shopkeepers and other merchants they met during their travels. She remained a strong supporter of Willard during these changes and helped their two children adapt to the new schools and make new friends. She cherished learning about different cultures and meeting people from various countries, many of whom remained friends for years after she returned home to the USA. The decorations in her home contain many reminders of these special times and relationships. Each item has a story that she fondly remembered.

As retirement approached, Jerrie and Willard explored several places to live. They chose to return home to Idaho to be near family and familiar environs. A home in Star has been their residence since 2004. Although the area has changed from what they remembered from their youth, the reconnection with family and following new endeavors has made their return home very enjoyable.

Jerrie was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles. She is survived by her husband, son Thomas F. Gribble of Dallas, TX; daughter Daylene (Kevin) Love of Shrewsbury, MA, grandsons John W. Love and Ryan D. Love; brother James F. Greene of Wyoming, MI; many nephews, nieces, cousins, great-nephews, and great-nieces.

The family extends their appreciation to the St. Luke’s Medical team at the Nampa Emergency Room, the St. Luke’s Boise team including Dr. Morales and the sixth-floor staff, the Surgical ICU team, and the Chaplains, for their expertise and compassion helping us through this ordeal.

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution in Jerrie’s name to your favorite charity.