GERTRUDE "GERTIE" GREEN JONES

ANDERSON - Gertrude “Gertie” Green Jones, age 88, died on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 at her home overlooking Lake Hartwell in Anderson, surrounded by those who loved her. From her birth in Greenville on December 1, 1923 to her death on Tuesday, she nourished people around her with love, faith, laughter, and music. Born on her beloved Paris Mountain to Walter F. and Mamie Loftis Green, Sr., Gertie was the youngest of three children and grew up cradled by the loving community of Mountain Creek Baptist Church.

During her years at Greenville High School, Gertie joined the secretarial pool at Ivey’s department store, where she met her mentor and lifelong friend, Gene Anderson. Upon graduation, Mr. Anderson offered her the opportunity to join him in Anderson to open and operate his new department store on Main Street. It wasn’t long before her vivacity and beauty caught the eye of a bright young salesman named White Jones, who worked next door at Sullivan Hardware. They soon realized they had each found their soulmate, and on May 12, 1946, they married. Combining their entrepreneurial gifts, they founded White Jones Hardware and Sporting Goods, one of the most successful businesses in the Southeast.

As much as Gertie loved being a businesswoman, she found her true bliss in being a wife and mother. Her love for her boys was legendary, and she considered it her highest calling to bring them up in a nurturing, Christ-centered home. Left to honor Gertie and remember her love are her two sons: Dr. Walter F. Jones and his wife Cheryl L. Rash Jones of Falls Church, VA and Dr. David A. Jones and his partner Jorge Piza of Anderson; two grandchildren: Holly E. Jones and Forrest Z. Jones; and several nieces and nephews. Gertie was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, William W. “White” Jones, her parents, her brother Walter F. Green, Jr., and her sister Hazel F. Green.

Gertie will be remembered as a bright, shining light, radiating grace and love wherever she went. She served her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ faithfully, touching countless lives with her generous, humble spirit. An active member of Pope Drive Baptist Church for over 50 years, she was widely respected and admired for her tireless efforts on behalf of the disadvantaged and neglected.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, September 28 at Sullivan-King Mortuary, Northeast Chapel, 3205 North Highway 81, with Rev. Ragan Courtney, Rev. Cynthia Clawson, and Rev. Delano McMinn officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The family will greet friends from 6:30 to 8:00 pm on Thursday, September 27 at Sullivan-King on Highway 81 and again from 10:00 to 10:45 am the morning of the service.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to Gertie’s caregivers for their faithfulness, attentiveness, companionship, and loving care over the years. They will never be forgotten.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Gertie’s name to Anderson Interfaith Ministries, P.O. Box 1136, Anderson, SC 29622 or to Boys Home of the South, 10612 Augusta Road, Belton, SC 29627
SULLIVAN-KING MORTUARY, NORTHEAST CHAPEL
www.sullivanking.com