Article by Gwen Jones, Department of Family Services
(Posted 2024 December)
In Fairfax County, it is not unusual to encounter people who recently relocated to the area from around the country or around the world. Economic opportunity, safe and thriving neighborhoods, and a high-quality public school system all attract new arrivals. What is unusual is to meet someone whose family has been here for generations. Jill Gerald, whose family has deep roots in Lincolnia, has lived there her entire life and witnessed how the community has changed over her 85 years. Recently, Gerald began giving presentations about the history of the region. Titled “Jill’s Show and Tell of Lincolnia,” Gerald talks about the history of Lincolnia, interwoven with personal anecdotes and her own memories, providing a glimpse of the people, businesses, and community gathering spots that occupied the area long ago.
Gerald’s father, William Cassedy, was born in Lincolnia in 1885. Her mother, Julia Carter, moved to the area in 1900 with her family. Following their marriage, Gerald’s parents had four children, then after a seven-year gap, had five more. Jill and her twin brother were the babies of the family, born when their oldest brother was 21 years old. Although Jill’s real name is Julia and her brother’s name was John, her older siblings nicknamed the pair “Jack and Jill.” Gerald attended Lincolnia Elementary School on North Chambliss Street, the current location of the Lincolnia Senior Center.
Gerald later attended Annandale High School. While still in high school, she took the civil service test at school and passed it as a stenographer. Her first job after graduation was at the Navy Annex on Columbia Pike next to Arlington National Cemetery. She recalls that her salary was $3,415/year, which she saved up to buy a new Chevy, sparing her from a long daily commute by bus. She would later tease her husband Frank that her new car was what attracted him.
Although Jill knew Frank Gerald from Lincolnia Elementary School, they connected after joining a youth group for recent high school graduates at Lincolnia United Methodist. After he and Jill had been dating a few months, Frank’s father convinced his son to join the National Guard to avoid getting drafted into the Korean War, so Frank spent six months in active-duty training at Fort Knox, KY. Less than a month after he returned, the couple married in August 1960.
Frank built a home on property owned by the Cassedy family, and they moved into the home in April 1963. Gerald continued to work until the birth of her children, daughter Debi and son Wesley. Frank joined the Fairfax County Police Department and served for 21 years until his diabetes forced him to leave the force and work part time.
In 1981, Rev. Albert Honaker, one of the ministers at Lincolnia United Methodist, announced that he was organizing a guided tour to Israel for church members. Gerald, who was working part time, decided to save up for the trip. After announcing her intentions at a family dinner, her mother-in-law volunteered to watch the kids and pay so Frank could join her. Gerald’s first experience flying was to Jerusalem in May 1981. The highlight of the trip was when she and Frank were baptized in the Jordan River in Tiberias, Israel. This trip marked the first of many Gerald would make with her church group.
While Gerald’s children were still in high school, she was offered a temporary two-week job at her cousin’s employer, the United States Army Materials Command on Eisenhower Avenue. She accepted the role but when the job concluded, she was offered a permanent position. She laughs how what was supposed to be a two-week assignment led to a 19-year career.
Because of his diabetes, Frank’s health continued to decline over time. He required dialysis and was able to do it at home with Gerald’s help. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Gerald would return home from work and connect Frank to the machine for treatment while she made dinner and the couple ate. “We always laughed that it was our Friday night date,” says Gerald. Once a month, she would draw vials of blood from the machine and take them to the dialysis center for Frank’s blood work.
Despite his health issues, the couple enjoyed their life together. They once visited their daughter Debi in Florida after she joined the Coast Guard. “Frank’s mother told me I was brave to take him on a trip. I said I don’t know if I’m brave or stupid, but I’ll tell you when I get back,” says Gerald. Frank passed away in 1990 but according to Gerald he lived his life up until the very last.
Sadly, Gerald’s son Wesley also experienced health problems that required him to go on dialysis. After receiving a kidney transplant, his health improved but eventually he was diagnosed with lymphoma and he too passed away.
After Frank’s death, Gerald continued to join the tours organized by Rev. Al at her church. She and Gennell Williams, a friend from church, traveled together to England, Ireland, Scotland and Alaska. Gerald also continued to be an active member of the Police Wives Club, which she joined in 1961.
In 2012, Gerald was persuaded to join Lincolnia Senior Center by one of her oldest friends, Joann Hatfield. The two had attended grade school and high school together and remained friends ever since. During one of their visits to the center, the two were reminiscing about old times, which caught the attention of Karen Albers, the director of Lincolnia Senior Center. Fascinated by their stories, she asked if they had any old photos of the people and places they were discussing.
Gerald’s collection of stories and photos eventually led to her giving presentations about the history of Lincolnia at the senior center and the Mason District Government Center. Her daughter, Debi, helped her create display boards to accompany her talk. The three displays are titled “Lincolnia School,” “Neighborhood,” and “Church” and include captioned photos to give viewers a sense of the people, neighborhoods and businesses of long ago Lincolnia. Some of the information Gerald shares in her presentation comes from research, but a lot comes from her own recollections, saying, “It’s just that I was here, and I knew what was going on. I wish now that I listened closer when my mother and father were telling stories because they both grew up here.”
After a break caused in part by the pandemic, Gerald recently presented at the Lincolnia Senior Center to an audience of old and new members. She shared interesting stories. For example, prior to the Civil War, Lincolnia was called Lebanon, but after the war residents sought to rename the area “Lincoln” in honor of Abraham Lincoln. After learning that a Lincoln, VA already existed, they settled on the name “Lincolnia.” The audience enjoyed Gerald’s presentation, some asking questions and others sharing their own stories about the area, but all leaving with a better sense of the history of their neighborhood. Gerald enjoys how appreciative her audiences are and enjoys the conversations they spark.
Currently, Gerald and Karen Albers are working together to offer a guided bus tour to Senior Center members of Lincolnia’s little-known, small local cemeteries. Gerald knows of five located between the Lincolnia Senior Center and Columbia Pike, including one near the senior center where Gerald’s parents, grandparents, husband and son are buried.
To learn more about the Lincolnia School, now the Lincolnia Senior Center, visit the Fairfax County Public Schools website at fcps.edu/about-fcps/history/closed/lincolnia.
Meet Jill Gerald and learn more about her Show and Tell of Lincolnia in this 16 Around Fairfax video:
This article is part of the Golden Gazette monthly newsletter which covers a variety of topics and community news concerning older adults and caregivers in Fairfax County. Are you new to the Golden Gazette? Don’t miss out on future newsletters! Subscribe to get the electronic or free printed version mailed to you. Have a suggestion for a topic? Share it in an email or call 703-324-GOLD (4653).