Gertrude Dale

Published 12:00 am Friday, March 14, 2008

Oct. 27, 1915 – March 12, 2008
PORT GIBSON – Memorial services for Gertrude Lum Dale, 92, of Ridgeland, who died Wednesday, March 12, 2008, at the Highland Home, in Ridgeland, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Port Gibson United Methodist Church.
Burial will follow at Wintergreen Cemetery under the direction of Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home in Jackson.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church.
Mrs. Dale was born Oct. 27, 1915, in Hankinson, the only child of Elbert Lum and Mary Patterson Lum. She graduated from Port Gibson High School in 1932 and Mississippi State College for Women in 1936, where she majored in elementary education. She then returned to Claiborne County and taught school in the Midway community.
On Sept. 6, 1937, she married John Jarvis Dale. Prior to his death in 1969, she returned to the work force, later being named director of the Claiborne County Welfare Department.
Mrs. Dale had a great love and devotion for the Port Gibson United Methodist Church. She was a member of the adult Sunday School class. She also served the United Methodist Women for many years as treasurer. In 1985, she attended the Methodist Cursillo. She lived out her faithfulness and commitment to Christ daily, devoting her life to Him, her family and meeting the needs of others.
Mrs. Dale’s role was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She will be best remembered for the nurturing, guidance and unconditional love that permeated every aspect of her family. The grandchildren were her pride and joy. She was more than a grandmother; she was a loyal friend, teacher, and counselor. The ability to understand and relate to each grandchild fostered special bonds. The mutual respect and love between them will continue to support and nourish them throughout their lives. They all consider her life a blessing of inspiration.
Survivors include her two sons, John Dale and wife, Joy, both of Woodville and Dr. Leon Dale and wife, Sherrill, both of Jackson; one daughter, Joyce Reaves and husband, John, both of Huntsville, Ala.; eight grandchildren, Brad Dale and wife, Pam, both of Long Beach, Randy Dale and wife, Alisa, both of Dumas, Ark., Deborah Hill and husband, Billy, both of Madison, Holly Dale Seymour of Ridgeland, Dr. David Dale and wife, Jill, both of Jackson, Stacy Carter and husband, Jason, both of Birmingham, Ala., and Dr. Jana Reaves of Chattanooga, Tenn.; and seven great-grandchildren, Shelby Dale of Long Beach, James Dale, Lance Dale and Cassie Dale, all of Dumas, Ark., Brooks Hill of Madison, John Carter of Birmingham, Ala., and William Seymour of Ridgeland.
Pallbearers will be Brad Dale, Randy Dale, Billy Hill, David Dale, Jason Carter, James Dale, Lance Dale and Tommy Newman.
Honorary pallbearers will be Robert Parman, Darby Combs, Newton Starnes and Walter Cade.
Memorials may be made to the Port Gibson United Methodist Church or Wintergreen Cemetery.