She accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior in her 20s, was baptized, and joined the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Cleveland, OH. She moved from Cleveland in the 1950’s to the San Francisco Bay Area and lived there until she moved to Shiloh, IL, in 2015 to be close to her son, Haile. She worked as a secretary as various State of California agencies, before she joined the US Post Office as a clerk until her retirement at the age of 65.
Throughout her long life, she joined various organizations such as the Ladies League, the Community Bible Class, and the Eastern Star. She also became a member in the 1980s of St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Richmond, CA, where she served on the Usher Board and later in life, became active with the Salvation Army in Concord, CA. In retirement, she volunteered at the Concord Public Library, reading to children, and helping as a librarian assistant. She was always very generous with her time and enjoyed working with children. She was kind and gentle in spirit with a soft voice and a radiant smile.
Alfret, known to her family and friends by two nicknames “Gerri” or “Deen” which was derived from her middle name, Geraldine, was preceded in death by her older sister, Daisy Martin; and four younger siblings, Snada Medley, Jr., Lawrence Medley, Charlotte Medley, and Harold Medley; and her two best and closest friends in her life, who were as blood sisters to her and that also preceded her in death within the last two years, her first cousin, Gwendolyn Harden of Cleveland, OH and Yvonne Gibson of Hayward, CA.
She leaves to mourn her passing and cherish her precious memories, her son, Mr. Haile Keita of Belleville, IL; two nieces, Ms. Celeste Baveghems of Cleveland, OH, and Ms. Stephanie Medley of El Sobrante, CA; her nephew, Mr. Gregory Medley (Charisse) of Rodeo, CA; her great-nephew, Mr. Snada Medley of Richmond, CA; many other nieces, nephews, and cousins; and special friends, Mr. and Mrs. Frank and Sharon Rhodes of Atlanta, GA; and Mr. Lewis Jackson of Shiloh, IL, all of whom she cherished dearly.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Community Interfaith Food Pantry or the Salvation Army. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, November 5, 2021, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL. Standard CDC guidelines, including masks and social distancing will be observed.
Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, November 5, 2021, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, with Rev. Dereck Dean officiating.
Burial will be at Walnut Hill Cemetery, Belleville, IL.