Gertrude Smith Marsh

Mrs. Marsh will be buried the following day, Saturday, September 9, 2017, at 11:00 am at the historic Oak Hill Cemetery in Bastrop County along with other family members who now rest in peace.

She passed away peacefully September 2, 2017.

Gertrude Smith Marsh was born in McDade, Texas on June 30, 1924, to Robert Whitworth Smith and Bertie Lee Hancock Smith, descendants of early Texas settlers. Her maternal grandmother's family came to Massachusetts before the colonists gained independence. Several men in the family fought in the war against England. Gertrude was the valedictorian of the Bastrop High School Class of 1940 at the age of 16. She attended the Southwest Texas State Teachers College (now Texas State University) in San Marcos. There she graduated with a B.S. degree in Business Administration with highest honors in January, 1944. She accepted a position with Humble Oil Refining Company, (now ExxonMobil), working at Ingleside and then Houston. She later received a M. Ed Degree from the University of Houston.

She married Albert R. Marsh on February 16, 1946, and moved to Baytown where he worked for Humble Oil and Refining Company. In 1953, she began teaching at Cedar Bayou Junior School for 13 years and at Robert E. Lee High School for 17 years. She taught a variety of courses, including Typing, Shorthand, Business Correspondence, English, Psychology, and Sociology. She concluded her career with 30 years of tenure as an educator for G.C.C.I.S.D. She loved teaching and was an inspiration to many students over the years.

In 1970, her name was among the other editors of The College Star, the student newspaper at Southwest Texas, whose names were placed on a plaque at the Old Main Building on the campus. She supervised the publishing of the paper in the summer of 1943 while the faculty sponsor was in the service.

In 1972, she wrote the curriculum submitted to the State for a typing class to be offered at Lee College for adults, which was highly successful. This course helped many to acquire positions in the workforce.

She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. She taught Sunday School for children for twelve years. She served as an elder in 1988. She was active in Presbyterian Women, serving as a circle teacher and as the treasurer for 12 years.

Gertrude was a member of the Epsilon Psi chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, an international organization for outstanding women teachers. She served as chapter president as well as many other offices. She also received the Alpha State Golden Rose award in 1993, primarily for her work in communications. She also received 2 ""Writer-in-Print"" awards from the Alpha State organization for articles that were printed.

After her retirement from the G.C.C.I.S.D., she gave of her time to help family members. In 2007, Gertrude wrote and contributed stories for a book about her family, including her grandparents, aunts, and others, who lived in the Oak Hill Community.

Among her many special activities were cooking pecan tarts and making grape jelly for her friends and neighbors during holidays, tending to her rose gardens, crocheting, cross stitching, reading, including the Bible and religious magazines, keeping up with the news, playing bridge with friends, as well as her continued tutoring of those in need of special help in English and Math.

She will be remembered by her son, Ron Marsh and daughter-in-law, Glenna C. Marsh of Baytown; grandson, Brennon Marsh and wife Beverly and great grandchildren, Matthew Thomas Marsh and Preston Lee Marsh, all of Houston; and granddaughter, Courtney C. Marsh of Dallas. She is also survived by her sister, Bonnie Gibson of Austin; brother, Kenneth Smith of Michigan; stepdaughter, Sharon Ervin of San Antonio; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were Albert R. Marsh, her husband of 50 years and her son, Paul A. Marsh of Baytown; brother, Woodrow W. Smith, of Edna; and sisters, Ruth Smith of Bastrop and Amy Patton, of Austin.

A very heartfelt thank you to Connie Artis and Maria ""Angie"" Sierra, who continued to love and care for her for many years. Also a special thank you to the staff at Swan Manor and caregiver, Becky Parmley.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Faith Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, 3900 N. Main St., Baytown, Texas 77521 or to ""A Storybook Christmas"" or a scholarship - all projects of Delta Kappa Gamma, c/o Carolyn Francis, 2104 Buchanan Dr., Baytown, TX 77520.

To view the online obituary or to post a tribute for the family, go to www.navarrefuneralhome.com

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr., Baytown, TX, 77521 (281) 422-8111.