Gertrude Marie Yankie King, 90, a resident of Cortland Acres in Thomas, WV for the last 18 months passed peacefully from this life to her eternal home on Saturday, March 21, 2015. She had previously lived both in the Elkins and Parsons areas.
Gertrude was born Tuesday, December 23, 1924 in Breedlove, near Silver Lake Park, Preston County, a daughter of the late William Ulysses Yankie and Sarah Virginia Davis Yankie. Gertrude was the last surviving member of her immediate family. On June 20, 1942, in Loch Lynn, MD she married Paul Norman King who preceded her in death in 1999. They celebrated fifty six years of marriage.
Left to cherish Gertrude’s memory are two daughters, Pauletta Carolyn Shrout and husband Ray of Stephens City, VA and Deanna Jean Canfield and husband Marvin of Parsons; five grandchildren, Sheila Elaine Chapman (husband Tim) of Winchester, VA, Mendy Luray Myers and Ginger Deanne Hamlin (husband Bill) of Gainesville, VA, Colby Ara Hedrick (wife Carol) of Parsons, and Angenette Denee Pase (husband Rob) of Yorktown, VA; and two step-grandchildren, Sarah Anne Lee (and husband Greg) of Virginia Beach, VA, and Jeremy Glenn Canfield of Brooklyn, NY.
Gertrude is also survived by seven great-grandchildren, Ashton Lee and Jordan Rae Myers, Karaline Grace Chapman, Emily Nicole and Olivia Mae Hamlin, and Sutton Mareanna and Linden Merritt Pase; two step-great-grandchildren, Anna Maribelle and Isaac Gregory Lee; and nine nieces and nephews.
Preceding Gertrude in death besides her parents and husband was a brother, Everett B. Yankie, Sr. and three sisters, Eva A. Evans, Evelyn P. Shahan and Fayetta J. Tate.
Gertrude attended the schools of Preston County and was a creative homemaker who invested her life in her home, family and extended family. She was an excellent cook, enjoyed gardening and canning, had a special love for her flowers and houseplants, could create interesting things with the sewing machine, made lovely needlework projects, and was an avid reader. In their younger years Paul and Gertrude could be found kicking up their heels at a Saturday night square dance, and Gertrude was known to be quite a good yodeler. A trip to the Grand Ole Opry was a memorable experience for them and Gertrude enjoyed her collection of various types of Country Music throughout her lifetime.
“Gert,” as she was called by family and friends, eagerly looked forward to family picnics and reunions, camping, swimming and having a good time. She worked a number of years for the Dorman’s Mills as well as the Bata Shoe Company in Parsons. Later in life Gertrude found enjoyment in helping Paul create and sell handcrafted items. They found flea markets to be a fun activity and a way of making new friends. Gertrude was a member of the Brethren Church in Elkins where she cherished some close friendships. Her love for home and family, her role model as wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother has influenced her descendants for generations to come.
Gertrude’s request for cremation will be honored and a private Celebration of Life will be held by the family at a later date. Interment will be alongside her husband at the Mountain State Memorial Gardens in Gilman, WV.
The Summerfield Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements for Gertrude Marie Yankie King. Send online condolences to the family at www.summerfieldfuneralhome.com.
