Gertrude Adassa Newell

Gertrude Adassa Smith- Newell also known as Ms. Gerty, Gertrude, Mrs Newell, and (Mama G) was born on July 18, 1936 in St. Catherine, Jamaica West Indies and passed away on June 01, 2025 in Georgia. She was born to Adela Smith and Solomon Smith. She was the fourth child out of 12 children. Unfortunately, sister Evelyn, otherwise known as Lyn, sister Enid, sister Vie, Sister Rena, and brother Austin, have all passed away. However, she is survived by her sister Ivy, who resides in England, Alice and sister Merl who resides in Canada. Gertrude was baptized at the Bois Content church, and she attended the church all of her years living in Jamaica. She also attended Bois Content school in Jamaica. Furthermore, her mother Adela passed away when she was 7 years old, and a few years later her father, Solomon, passed away which left her to be raised by her big Sister Lyn.

Therefore, her big sister( Lyn) instilled good morals and values into her and as well as taught her to believe in herself her dreams and to love the Lord. Nonetheless, Gertrude became a very fine young lady, because of her older sister Lyn, sister Rena, sister Ivy, auntie Madeline and Mr. Jake, and they were a great interest of heart for her. She was also raised up in a Christian Environment which helped her to be passionate about the Lord. Mr. Jake, had impacted her life so deeply, and he would tell her about God on a day to day basis and as well as getting the family together on a weekly basis, to have church prayer meetings. Gertrude, was married at 19 years old to a God fearing, affectionate, and trustworthy man (Mr.Frederick Newell).They both believed in the Lord, so when things go wrong, they would go to GOD in prayer. Our mother would say, prayer climbs the ladder that Jacob saw and it gives exercise to faith and love. This great influence was very strong over her life to the point where her husband built a church in front of their home. Mr. Frederick’s dad, Mr. Arnold who was Gertrude's father-in-law was a Pastor, prayer warrior, and evangelist for Christ built a church behind his kitchen, and he would teach the community, and grandchildren about Jesus. He taught them how to become a disciple of the Lord and her late husband Frederick Newell was also an Evangelist, he preached the gospel, prayed for the sick, feeds the hungry. Furthermore, all three of them would joined together and have church in the community. Gertrude and Frederick lived together and they enlarged their family by having eleven children. They had seven girls, and four boys. They are Alston (Sal), Joy, Noel , Leabert, Dezrene, Icy (Gene), Naomie, Amorell, Sharon, Carol, and Al. (Glen).

Mama G was a giver, loyal, very kind, loving, humble, caring, sharing, hardworking, trustworthy and was a very special and unique person who had a heart of GOLD. She was a dressmaker, a businesswoman, a good chef, disciple for Christ, a good teacher to her children and others. Gertrude was a mother to the community and was known for always helping, giving away her foods, belongings, to just about anyone who was in need. She feeds the hungry, clothes the naked, and she shares her home with the homeless. She would also give away her foods to her children, and then drink the water from the pot. She would cook and feed the people in the community with her famous pea soup, dumplings and chicken. She would use her clothes to make clothes for her children when times were hard for her. Mama Gertie, mama G, was well known and loved by her community. She was as priceless as gold that cannot be bought or sold. She would stay without, and make herself available for others that are in need. Whenever, mama G children were sick, she would stay up all night day,and making sure that her children feels better.

There is no distance too far that mama G would not go for her children, and family. She was always sensitive to the needs of other people. She was a good alarm clock for me, my children and her children as well as to other family members. She would wake us up on time every morning and we would pray and have worship. My mama G would wake me, my children and her grandchildren every morning so that I would not be late for work and the children would not be late for school. It doesn’t stop there, she would woke up early, cooked breakfast for us, helped the children to get ready for school and then prepare our lunch. She was very industrious around the home.She was a dishwasher, no dirty dishes would stay in the sink.When her grandchildren or whoever would be sick, she would not leave their side until they were feeling better. She would also put them on her lap, and would not go to sleep or eat until they were nursed back to health.

During mama G years as she gets older, she would pray and read the Bible many times a day. She was definitely in tune with the Lord 100%. There was no mountain too high that she would not climb for her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. No valleys too low that she would not go under, no rivers too deep that she would not cross for her children and others. Other people children was her children. She was a mother to all who needs a motherly care. Gertrude and her late husband Frederick raised the children on the word of God. Gertrude and Fredrick would get up from 5am to talk with each other then pray together. They would always take pride in going to Church, and if they can’t make it to church, they would have service at home. They are so much very God fearing that they decided to built a church in front of their house. They raised 11 children on the love and word of God also they never got tired. Gertrude attended the Ludford Mount Baptist Church, and she was very involved within the church.

She loved to donate, and she loved her church dearly. She would visit the sick and shut in and tell them about Jesus. She loves to sing and pray. Mama G, Ms. Gerty, Mrs. Newell, Ms. Gertrude, wears a lot of hats. She is driven to her family and has a heart wrapped by God. After Ms. Gertrude and her late husband got married they resided in St. Catherine, Jamaica. After all of their children were grown-up, they relocated to USA and lived happily together with their children until the passing of her husband. She lived with her children in CA for 34 years. She later got an invitation to Georgia to attend her sons’ Al’s wedding. She lived in Georgia for 3 years until she passed away Sunday ,June1,2025 at Piedmont Hospital in Georgia. Although, she had left us too soon, we know that the Lord is holding her tightly in His arms. Mom, we will continue to lift up the name of Jesus, continue to love and respect each other and we will continue to carry and fuel your torch!

We will always love you mom, we will carry the memories of you in our hearts always and forever until we meet again! We thank you for everything that you have done for us and we know that we could never repay you mom, but just know that you were our pot of gold, we will always love and remembered you, and you will forever be in our hearts!!!!

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