Mrs. Gertrude Aldridge was born September 23, 1937, in Ida, Louisiana, to the late Robert and Ozie Johnson. She passed away peacefully on March 23, 2024, at the age of 86.

Gertrude was raised in Carbondale, Texas and later moved to Texarkana, Texas. She received her educational instruction at Sunset School and she was employed as a housekeeper. As a young child, Gertrude dedicated her life to Christ and served the Lord faithfully. She eventually joined Atlanta Street Church of Christ where she was a faithful and beloved member.

Gertrude was united in holy matrimony in 1955 to her husband, the late Arthur Aldridge. During this union, Gertrude was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and homemaker. She possessed a quiet strength, gentle spirit, and a loving heart. She was strong, capable, tireless, and a beacon of light and hope. She always strived to make things better for her family and gave to them out of the abundance of her heart. She never complained, and always looked to God for a better future for herself and those she loved. She was the heartbeat of her family and will be dearly missed by all that were blessed to know her.

She was preceded in death by: her brothers, John Johnson, Rodney Johnson, Robert Johnson Jr, and Bobby Johnson; sisters, Barbara Johnson, Verine Ellis, and Jessie Mae Young; and grandchildren, Shanethia Aldridge, Dana Aldridge, and Jermaine Aldridge.

She is survived by: 12 children, Larry (Shelia) Hughes, Authurine Bostic, Donnie Ray (April) Aldridge, Lawanda (James) Flowers, Teresa (trent) Hawkins, Shirley Aldridge, Annie Aldridge, Aletha Aldridge, LaShundra Aldridge, Belinda Aldridge, LaDonna Aldridge, and Glinda Aldridge; sisters, Katie Turner and Brenda Woods; sisters-in-law, Margie Aldridge and Merline Garrett; brother-in-law, Logene (Era) Aldridge; as well as grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and a host of family members and friends.