Gertrude Brand

            Gertrude Lillie Brand was born at home in Stone Mountain, GA on April 16,, 1926 to George and Susie Brand.. She was the first of twin girls born that day and her father commented that she was the “runt.”   The next morning, however, the larger, healthier looking twin had died in the night and Gertrude had survived. She spent the next 88 years as a survivor. She recovered quickly from breast cancer surgery in 1999 and spent the last ten years of her life in assisted living, having been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.             Gertrude was the family caregiver, having quit school in the sixth grade to care for her mother who was suffering from leukemia. She cared for her father at home until his death, and served as the guardian for her older sister, Martha, who had polio as a baby and suffered lifelong complications from the disease until her death in 1984. Gertrude was also proceeded in death by her older brother Gordon and younger brother Washington Martin (W.M.)               Gertrude lived her entire life within a few miles of where she was born. After moving from the Smoke Rise area, the family lived briefly in Lithonia before settling in the “home place” on Highway 124 in the Centerville community, south of Snellville. Gertrude held several jobs during her life, the longest was serving as the cleaning lady at Zoar UMC for over 28 years. She was an avid gardener and is remembered as someone who would give flowers and cuttings to anyone who stopped as they drove by her house and commented on the beautiful flowers and shrubs.             Gertrude spent her final years in the Wing of Hope, the memory care unit, of Scepter Health and Rehab, and her final days she was attended by ARK Hospice. She was a special lady to all those involved in her care. Gertrude will be greatly missed by her loving church family at Zoar UMC, a niece, eight nephews and several cousins. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Zoar UMC in Gertrude’s memory. Funeral Services will be held at Wages Funeral Home, 1040 North Main, Stone Mountain, GA on 3 PM Wednesday, May 28, 2014.