Kathryn Donaldson Gerlach

kathryn gerlach

May 8, 1924 ~ June 22, 2019

Born in: Statesboro, Georgia
Resided in: Lawrenceville, Georgia

Mrs. Kathryn Donaldson Gerlach, age 95, of Lawrenceville, GA, died on Saturday, June 22, 2019.  She was born on May 8, 1924, in Statesboro, GA.  Kathryn was preceded in death by her husband, Charles L. Gerlach, Sr.;  her parents, Thomas P. Donaldson and Martha Sargent Donaldson, and her brother, Thomas P. (Sonny) Donaldson, Jr.  She is survived by her daughter, Nancy G. Hicks and husband Allan Hicks of Lawrenceville, GA; her son, Charles L. (Chuck ) Gerlach, Jr. and wife Paula Gerlach of Jasper, GA; grandchildren, Melissa Hicks Grigsby and husband Bryan Grigsby of Marietta, GA; Matthew Hicks of Lawrenceville, GA; Jordan Gerlach and wife Callie Gerlach of Woodstock, GA; Anna Gerlach Patterson and husband Michael Patterson of Ellijay, GA; great grandchildren, Norah Hutchins and Emmett Grigsby of Marietta, GA and Braxton Gerlach of Woodstock, GA and three nephews and their families. When Kathryn was ten years old, her family moved from Statesboro, GA to Atlanta, GA where she attended Lena H. Cox Elementary School, West Fulton High School and Southern Business University.  She also took correspondence courses in Bible studies from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago.  She was an avid reader and had a life-long love of learning, her main interests being the Bible, history, biographies and genealogy. At the time of her death she was in the process of continuing the writing of her family history which her father had done in his lifetime and as previous generations had done since arriving in America in 1774 from Scotland, Ireland and the Netherlands.  During World War II Kathryn worked on an Army base as a secretary to many high-ranking Army officers, a job she loved dearly, but the job that she felt was her most fulfilling and rewarding came after the war – that of family life and raising their children.  She was never happier than when planning, cooking and gathering with family for holiday and birthday celebrations.  She had immense love for her children and grandchildren and felt great comfort in their profession of Christian Faith and the outward evidence of it.  Through the years Kathryn had been an active member of Woodlawn Baptist Church in Decatur, First Baptist Church of Atlanta and North Metro Baptist Church in Lawrenceville. A Funeral Service will be held Monday, June 24, 2019 at 2:00 PM at Wages and Sons Gwinnett Chapel, 1031 Lawrenceville Highway, Lawrenceville, GA  30046 with Dr. Frank Cox officiating.  The family will receive friends from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Burial will follow at White Chapel Memorial Gardens. Her wishes would be that in lieu of flowers consideration would be given to donations in her name to either of the following:  American Bible Society, P.O. Box 96812, Washington, DC 20090-6812, www.americanbible.org or The Smile Train, P. O. Box 96231, Washington, DC 20090-6231, www.thesmiletrain.org. Online condolences may be expressed at www.wagesandsons.com.

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  1. Mrs Gerlach filled a void in my life when my own mom died when I was young. She taught me to accept the things I could not change with grace and patience and to let the Lord lead my life. She was a fine southern lady and will be missed by all.


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