Blessed are the pure in heart: for they will see God
Jeralene Mantooth March 13, 1924 - Oct 16, 2017

Jeralene Mantooth passed away in the evening on Mon Oct. 16. She was 93. Her departure was peaceful. Her son Warren, daughter in law Gloria and the CCU staff of Lompoc Hospital were with her . Gloria was singing hymns and pop and jazz songs by Jeralene's favorite artists,. Aretha, Billy, Sarah, Nancy and Dionne. She was a beautiful special lady. Despite her petite stature she was strong like steel. When she chose to be, she was immovable. She was compassionate and forgiving. Her heart was pure. Her love was indefatigable.

Jeralene Mantooth was born to parents Pansy Neil Smith and Johnny Foster in Tyler Texas on March 13 1924 along with her twin brother John Finley Foster. Jerri attended Houston-Tillotson University in Austin, Texas where she completed her Bachelors degree. It was at a Texas College dance in Tyler, Texas were Jerri was introduced to her husband Warren. After they were married in June of 1948 the couple moved to New Mexico were Jerri taught school and had a son, while her husband attended the University of New Mexico. After Warren received his Masters degree from UNM, the couple moved to Oxnard, California were they both taught school for several years. In 1964 the couple moved to Lompoc California. Jeralene had been hired as a teacher, Warren as an elementary school principal. Jerri and Warren adopted a daughter. Jerri taught second and third grade at Buena Vista elementary in Vandenberg Village until she retired in 1987. In Oxnard CA Jerri mentored incarcerated juvenile young women. In Lompoc she was an active member of the Beta Pi Sigma Sorority. She loved to entertain and Bridge was her game. After retirement Jerri took up her husband's favorite sport of golf. The two were Sierra club members and enjoyed bird watching and hiking at the Mission. Jeralene was preceded in death by her oldest sister Bernice Smith Mumford her brother John Foster, her daughter GiGi Mantooth and her husband of 65 years Warren Mantooth. She is survived by her son Warren Mantooth Jr. and numerous nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Friday, October 27, 2017 at 11 am at Starbuck-Lind Mortuary Chapel with a funeral service at 12 pm. Burial immediately following funeral service at Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery.