Geraldine Catherine Canler Atchison

Geraldine Catherine Barbetta Canler Atchison, longtime resident of Fort Walton Beach, 90 years old, passed away on Monday, June 23, 2025 in Daphne, Alabama.

Born April 16, 1935 in New Orleans, Louisiana, she lived in the New Orleans area until the mid 1980’s before moving to Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Gerry graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy in New Orleans in 1953. She worked at the Whitney Bank where she met and married her first husband, Al Canler.  After twenty-six years, they ultimately divorced and Gerry relocated to Fort Walton Beach where she met and married Glenn Atchison in 1988. Gerry very much enjoyed entertaining, gardening and traveling. There was always another place to visit as she traveled from Mexico to Japan, Switzerland, Greece, France and countless trips to Las Vegas and Biloxi. Her most treasured memories were those made with her family.  She loved when “the gang” was all together.

Gerry was preceded in death by her husband, Glenn Atchison; father, Herbert Barbetta; mother, Gertrude Barbetta; and brothers, Herbert Barbetta, Jr., Calvin “Steve” Barbetta, and Kirk Barbetta, along with sister, Beverly Martinez.  She was the beloved mother of Alfred “Marty” Canler, Jr. (Lisa-partner), Cassandra Batey (Joe), Cathaleen Canler, Adele Cornutt (Thomas) and former daughter-in-law, Karen Sutto (Ron); grandmother to Christopher Canler, Christina Sgro (Jacob), Amelia Cornutt; as well as, great-grandmother to Madison and Katie Canler.

Gerry was a very spiritual person and is now at eternal rest in Heaven.

Visitation will be held at Davis-Watkins Funeral Home in Fort Walton Beach on Sunday, June 29 from 10:00 a.m until 11:00 a.m. with funeral service thereafter.

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