The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Gertie Marie Frazier died peacefully at her home April 3, after a long and difficult battle with Alzheimer's disease. She was born in Orange, on July 23, 1942 to Paul A. Burch Sr. and Mary M. Burch.

Gertie and Jerry met at church in 1951, they soon became friends and childhood sweethearts. They later wed on July 4,1960 at her parent's home in Orange and have been wed for nearly 55 years. She was a person who truly loved her job at LC-M school district where she worked in the food service department. Gertie served as Food Service Secretary in LC-M administration until her retirement at the end of 2010 with over 35 years of service. She was loved and respected by all who knew her.

Gertie was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Inez Spell and two grandchildren Robert and Charlotte Whittaker.

Gertie is survived by her husband Jerry Frazier; three daughters, Avanelle Phelps and her husband Ronald, Regina Whittaker and husband Louia and Karen Hines and husband Duane.

She is also survived by brothers Mark W. Burch and wife Priscilla of Hempstead; Murphy Burch Sr. and wife Theda of Orange, Paul A. Burch Jr. and wife June of Livingston and sister Stella Meaux and husband Leo of Orange; five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren, with one expected later this fall. She is also survived by many other loved ones who will miss her greatly.

Visitation will be held Monday, April 6, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.

Funeral Services will be at Claybar Funeral Home Tuesday, April 7, at 2:00 p.m. with the Rev. Ron Miller officiating, with burial to follow at Wilkinson Cemetery in Orange.

The family would also like to give a heartfelt thanks to the wonderful people at Compassion Hospice who helped care for Gertie in her final months. Our special thanks to RN Jean Stephenson and CNA Cynthia Johnson.

Pallbearers will be her nephews, James Meaux, Paul Burch, Murphy Burch Jr., Nate Baker, David Burch and Paul Baker.