"The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away." Psalms 90:10 (KJV) On Friday July 1, 2011 after a brief illness, Gertrude Ellen Spencer Smith departed this life for her eter-nal home in Glory. She celebrated one hundred and four years of life before God called her to His King-dom in Heaven! Born on August 18, 1906 in Sumpter, South Carolina (SC), Gertrude was the second daughter of James Edward Spencer and Henrietta Pinkney Spencer. For Gertrude, the most important attributes of life were God, family and community. Life was very hard for her parents and all Negros in South Carolina in 1906. The first thirteen years of her life were spent in Sumpter, SC along with two other siblings (Rachel and Laura). Her father moved the family to Roselle, New Jersey in 1919, hoping for a better life. They met some of the same disappointments there that they had experienced in the south. They lived in Cranford, NJ for a time and then moved to Roselle where Gertrude attended the Cranford and Roselle Public Schools. She became a Spelling Bee champion while in Cranford. Her father was a machinist and her mother a domestic worker. They had very high moral standards and always encouraged their children to be truthful and kind. Gertrude's teenage years were happy. She joined her "beloved Heard" in 1921 at age fifteen and never looked back. She was the first Sunday School pupil at Heard African Methodist Episcopal Church. She fondly remembered her years at Heard and remarked that she loved her church because "everyone worked together". Gertrude's parent's relationship did not survive the depression years. Gertrude's mother later married Rev. William Delaney and other siblings were born: Harold, Mildred, and William (Bill), (all preceded her in death). Ethel Delaney Lee is the only surviving sibling. Gertrude chose Russell Perry Smith to be her husband in 1928 and from that union three beautiful children were born: Russell Spencer, Audrey Deloris (deceased) and James Waldo (deceased). Her husband Russell became a truck driver for Turtle & Hughes Electrical Company, and Gertrude became a stay-at-home mom, who occasionally did domestic work. The Great Depression occurred in 1929, the same year Gertrude gave birth to her first child Russell. This economic depression severely impacted rich and poor families alike and had devastating effects on Black families, including the Smith family. Gertrude and her family experienced unemployment rates as high as 25%, but her family pulled to-gether to provide support to each other. They learned to totally rely on God and He never failed them. Watching baseball was one of her favorite pastimes and the Mets was her favorite team. Her favorite hobbies were arranging flowers, decorating and cooking. She utilized these skills in her ministry at Heard. She was the founder of Heard's Heliotrope Flower Club, that remains an active ministry today. At Heard, she became a member of several organizations including: the Sun-day School, the Christian Endeaver, the Women's Missionary Society, the Helping Hand Shelter Club, and the South Carolina Club. She also assisted with the Youth Choir, demonstrating her love for children and young adults. Her beloved husband of sixty six years died in 1982 leaving her to live the life of a widower. Gertrude took advantage of her new lifestyle and devoted her time to her church and community. Heard honored her for her stewardship by selecting her "Mother of the Year" in 1977, presented her with accolades for "Dedicated Service to Church & Community" in 1984, "Mother of the Church" in 1987 and "Original Member & Sunday School Pupil" in 1994. During her tenure she witnessed three mortgage burnings by Heard A.M.E. Church. Gertrude was an active member of social and civic organizations. She was a member of the Jun-ior Matrons Civic Club of Roselle, NJ, the Women's Service League of Roselle, the New Jersey State Federation of Colored Women's Clubs; an affiliate of the National Association of Women of Color (the oldest Black Women's organization in the United States). She was a member of the North Central Garden Club of New Jersey, organized in 1940 by Alice Smith of Madison, NJ and August Bronner of Cranford, NJ. Gertrude was a member of the Union County Council of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc., organized in Westfield, NJ in 1958. The presentation of the Charter Installation of officers was held at the First Congrega-tional Church of Westfield, NJ. Mildred Bailey was president, Gertrude Smith was first vice presi-dent and Dorothy Lacey was second vice president. In October 1994 she was a recipient of honor for the 1894 – 1994 Roselle Centennial, given to 12 members who had been members for over 70 years. She was proud to identify herself as a Republican and was a great debater on issues that her party promoted. The NAACP cited her for her contributions during the 1993 Annual Dinner Honoring Seniors. She was cited by the Multiple Sclerosis Association for outstanding campaign solicitation and cited by both the Community Chest/United Fund and the American Cancer Society in 1995 for her philanthropic work. Gertrude leaves to celebrate her life and legacy her loving son Russell Spencer Smith of Clinton, Maryland, five grandchildren: Edward Lee Holder, Jr. (Elizabeth, NJ), Gregory James Smith (Columbus, OH), Vaughn Spencer Smith & wife Bridgette (Newnan, GA), Quinton Allen Smith & wife Crystal (Columbia, MD), and Audrey Vanita Smith (Clinton, MD) and one great grand-daughter Jordan Spencer Smith (Newnan, GA). She leaves her last surviving sister Ethel Delaney Lee (Washington, D.C.), two daughters-in-law, Dr. Cellestine Cheeks (Clinton, MD) and Anne Childress Smith (Columbus, OH), four devoted and caring cousins: Thelma Williams, Marjorie Reaves, Carol Fudge and Jean Grice all of Cranford, NJ and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and a most beloved, thoughtful and caring church family at Heard. She leaves a devoted goddaughter Vera

(Vicki) Mosely, devoted adopted granddaughters Yvonne Goyins, Adrienne Harding and adopted daughters Dorothy Mayner and Yvonne Blue and many others too numerous to mention. Gertrude loved the Lord, her family, her church and her friends. She will be laid to rest with her husband Russell at Rosehill Cemetery in Linden, NJ. This Online Memorial has been created to commemorate the life of Gertrude Ellen Spencer Smith. You are invited to add a Tribute in her memory. Please click "Sign Guestbook" below to add your own memories, reflections, thoughts or condolences.