Freddie Mae Gautier

Freddie Mae Hurd Gautier, 71 went to be with the Lord December 14, 2001. Freddie was born July 14, 1930 in Seattle, Washington and has been a life long resident. She was the daughter of Fred G. Hurd and Minnie Purnell Hurd owners of the Central Area Bakery. Freddie spent her time loving people, teaching people, leading people and building consensus locally and nationally. She was active with Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. and founder of the Washington Chapter of Southern Christian Leadership Conference SCLC. She was founder of the Benefit Guild, an African American Women?s Charitable Organization dedicated to helping the less fortunate. She was a lifetime member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People NAACP. She was recipient of many community honors and awards for her humanitarian and civil rights leadership. She was the recipient of the Metropolitan YWCA, Isabel Coleman Pierce Award.

In addition to her civic activities she was a pioneering African American businesswoman. She was co-owner of many businesses, concessions at SeaTac International Airport and the Washingtonian State Convention and Trade Center, in addition to being a principle at a mortuary. Through the last 40 years she was employed by Central Area Motivation Program; Model Cities; Odessa Brown Children?s Clinic; City of Seattle; King County; Seattle Bonding Company and was appointed to many boards and commissions including the first Washington State Martin Luther King Birthday Celebration; the Washington Commission for African Americans. Ms. Gautier served on the board of the Visitor and Convention Bureau and was active in the Seattle Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Gautier was known for her political action insight was the most sought after endorser for political candidates in Washington State.

Ms. Gautier was a columnist for the Los Angeles Sentinel in Los Angeles, California and most recently appeared on the segment of ANY DAY NOW on the Lifetime Station. She was noted for her support of talented musicians such as Quincy Jones and Jimmy Hendrix. She was an active member of Breath of Life Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Freddie Mae Hurd Gautier attended Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama where she received a Bachelor of Science degree. She also did post graduate work at UCLA.

Freddie Mae was preceded in death by her parents Fred G. Hurd and Minnie Purnell Hurd and is survived by; her loving daughter Yvonne Renee, Larry Morgan; loving son, Pierre Anthony Gautier and loving grandson, Paris Gautier Sims, in addition to stepmother Annie B. Hurd, step-siblings Gloria Hurd-Samuels, Loretta Wasse`, Louise Crosby, and Charles Daniels as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Evergreen-Washelli is in care of her remains and viewing will begin at 4:00 P.M. to 8:00PM on Wednesday December 19th through Thursday December 20th 4:00PM to 8:00PM. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 A.M. Friday, December 21, 2001, with additional viewing from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. at St. Marks Episcopal Church 1245 10th Avenue East, 206 323-0300. Those unable to attend, an online memorial book is available to sign at www.evergreen-washelli .com. In lieu of flowers a contribution maybe made to the United Negro College Fund in the name of Ms. Freddie Mae Hurd Gautier.