Gertrude R. Jackson

A Time To Be Born… Our beloved Gertrude, known to her family and friends as “Gert”, was born in Baltimore, Maryland on September 14, 1928 to the late Abraham and Wilhelmina Rhodes. She was the second child born of five from the union of her loving parents. A Time To Learn… Gertrude received her education in the Baltimore City Public School System. She was a proud graduate of the well renowned “Frederick Douglass High School”. Gertrude furthered her education as she took evening classes at Carver Vocational-Technical High School. She became an excellent tailor and dressmaker. This perfected gift allowed her to make clothing for herself and her children. She loved her role early on as a stay-at-home mom. But years later she decided to diligently continue her studies and and obtained her certification as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) after receiving her degree, she began her very promising career at Sinai Hospital in 1963. During her twenty-three years of service at Sinai Hospital, she was recognized for her dedication, commitment, and passion for her job and her patients whom she served with sincere love and care. Family can not recall Gert ever missing a day from work unless she had taken time off for a short, but well deserved vacation. Gert’s superior dedication and true compassion as a LPN at Sinai did not go unnoticed. She received many accolades during her tenure, and was placed in the ranks with the best when she was recognized and honored for being “Nurse of the Year’. A Time To Serve… Gertrude was a faithful servant of the Lord. She was baptized at an early age and became a lifelong member of Leadenhall Baptist Church. At Leadenhall, Gertrude served on several ministries. Those ministries were The Missionary Ministry, The Willing Workers Ministry, The Sisterhood Ministry, and singing for the Lord on the Senior Choir. She was also a faithful, vibrant and committed student in Sunday Bible Study Classes. She understood that we can not be true servants of the Lord without the knowledge of the Word. A Time To Love… Gertrude met and fell in love with her neighborhood friend who soon became her sweetheart, Charles K. Jackson, Sr. After a world-wind courtship, Gert and charles joined in “Holy Matrimony” in 1947. From this wonderful union , Gert and Charles were blessed with six children. There are three sons, Khalif, Darryl and Kevin, and her three girls (who preceded her in death) Diane, Shelia and Sharon (Ronald). This marriage ordained by God was one of sixty-four wonderful years… Wow! The union between Gert and Charles was one of enduing love. Gert truly enjoyed spending quality time with her family. Gert and Charles reared their children in the Catonsville area of Maryland. There was a plethora of memories created during family vacations, holidays, family outings, worshipping together and those Sunday dinners. A Time To Be Happy… There were so many things that Gert loved. Besides her undying dedication to her family, Gert had a heart to help others. Outside of the walls of her profession as a nurse, she was often found being the caretaker for others in need. If they needed her help she was right there with a willing spirit. Gert had this huge passion for nurturing plants. You would find plants everywhere in her home. Gert was also a collector of porcelain dolls. She accumulated many from her travels and as gifts. Just like her plants, her dolls too adorned her home. Like most women, Gert loved shopping. When she decided to do something relaxing, you could often catch her on “The Home Shopping Network” looking for some great buys. Then there were those wonderful “Bus Trips”, primarily with her church family. She lived for those times of fellowship on the road with the people she loved and cared for To top it all off, Gert loved the “SOAPS”, so much so, she had “two” televisions in her bedroom. This allowed her an opportunity to tune into “Bold and the Beautiful” and “Days of Our Lives” simultaneously, or any others she cared to look at. A Time To Die… Quietly on October 13, 2011 at her home, Gertrude gained her independence and entered a place where the soul is safe and free to live with God through etetnity. A Time To Mourn… Precious memories now remain with those who love her, and with the many lives she touched. Holding on to loving memories of Gertrude are: her husband, Charles Sr.; three dear sons, Khalif (Linda), Darryl and Kevin; two grandsons, Mwanza and Khalif II; one great-grandson, Khalif III; one sister, Carolyn Rhodes; one sister-in-law, Irene Jackson; four step-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and loving friends.

Tributes

Gertrude R. Jackson

September 14, 1928 - October 13, 2011