Gertie Emerson

November 28, 1922 - May 3, 2015

We were blessed to have known and loved Gertie Emerson, known to most people as “Aunt Gertie†during her 92 years on this Earth. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt and friend. She died peacefully at Mother Joseph’s Care Center on Sunday, May 3, 2015 after a long illness. Gertie was born in Virginia on November 28, 1922 to Wade and Ora Bella Hampton. She moved to Washington as a child and went to school in Raymond. She met a handsome man named Ted Emerson and they were married on September 14, 1943. They had one son, James W. Emerson. He was the light of their life. Him enlisted in the Army during the Vietnam War and sadly lost his life on August 25, 1966 at the age of 22. His death was very difficult for both of them and they never fully recovered from the loss of their only son. Gertie was one of ten children. Her sister Della and her brothers Lynn and Gordon preceded her in death. She is survived by siblings: Ray of Eugene, OR, Frank (and wife Francis) of Tacoma, WA, Claude of Raymond, Vollie (and wife Betty) of Raymond, Jean Freeman (and husband Bucky) of West Virginia, and Virginia Betrozoff of Raymond. She had many nieces and nephews including Tanya Brown of Olympia, Kim Grabski of Raymond and April Whitaker of Olympia. Gertie loved her daily walks, gardening, playing cards and late night movies. Her favorite color was hot pink and her nails were perfectly manicured wearing her favorite color! She also loved butterflies. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 16, 2015 at the Fern Hill Cemetery in Menlo. A casual lunch will follow at The Barge restaurant in Raymond for family and friends. Arrangements are in care of Stoller’s Mortuary in Raymond.