Gretchen Truitt

GRETCHEN TRUITT was born November 15, 1935 to William Morgan Smith and Marguerite Smith in Jacksonville, TX. The family moved to Dallas in the mid-`40s. She married Dr. M. Everett Truitt while he was a medical student. She is survived by her husband of 49 years, her son, Dr. Timothy Truitt, his wife Susan, and their sons Tyler and Cody; her daughter, Valerie Icenogle, her husband Randy, and their daughter Ali; and her son, Dean Truitt. Nieces Leslie Schulte, Sandi Smallwood, and Holly Lovvorn, nephews, cousins Bert and Diane Hervey, brother-in-law James Truitt and his wife Brenda, who have been very supportive throughout her illness, also survive her. After teaching herself to type in high school, she supported her husband through medical school, internship, military service, residency, and years of pediatric practice while raising their three children. Once her children were grown, she went back to school and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a communications degree in 1984 from the University of St. Thomas. After graduating, she became a freelance writer and editor, specializing in the medical and business fields. She also participated actively in numerous organizations: IABC, the Pan American Round Table of Houston, Baylor Women's Faculty Club, a monthly dinner group with the Yorks and Eardleys, and countless other projects. She had a special gift to make friends laugh with unpredictable humor and lively personality. Throughout her life, she was always optimistic and unafraid to face challenges, even while bravely battling breast cancer to the end. She died peacefully on March 3, 2007. Her family is grateful to her family and friends who supported them throughout her very difficult final four months. A celebration of her wonderful life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Diabetes Association or a charity of the donor's choosing.