Elbert L. Getridge

Obituary Elbert Louis Getridge Elbert Louis "Chacy" Getridge was born on July 11, 1942, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Alberta C. Moliere and Paul Getridge. He was educated in the Orleans Parish Public Schools and graduated from L. B. Landry High School in the class of 1959. At Landry, he was a member of the basketball and track and field teams. As he prepared to graduate from high school, Elbert received an athletic scholarship to Texas College. During the summer program, he realized that rural Texas was not the place for him, and he enrolled at Grambling College. It was at Grambling that he met the love of his life, Carolyn M. Williams. To this union a daughter, Karla Renee Getridge, was born. After graduating from Grambling in 1964, Elbert decided to migrate to Oakland, California, where he initially resided with his sister, Helen, as he pursued career opportunities. He was surprised that on the first day of his job search, he was offered a position as an Expeditor for the Social Security Administration. He later worked for the United States Postal Service before embarking upon a career in the transportation industry. For over thirty-five years, he worked for the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) as an operator, instructor, and training manager. He enjoyed introducing young people to the opportunities in transportation and providing instruction in all aspects of the business. During his tenure, he was recognized for outstanding performance and completed the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safety Institute. As a Certified Senior Instructor, Elbert supported transit districts across the country in transforming their training programs. He also served as an expert witness in transportation litigation. After his retirement in 2003, he became active with the AC Transit Retiree Association. Elbert was baptized as a Catholic at a young age. However, to enable the family to worship together, he and Carolyn joined St. Cuthbert's Episcopal Church in Oakland. When they moved to the Dallas area in 2005, they visited St. Andrew Methodist Church, and inspired by the Biblical teachings and community-focused ministries, he and Carolyn joined the church. He was a faithful member and he participated in the Men's Group School Lunch Delivery Program and was a member of The Covenant Group for over twenty years. Throughout his life, Elbert was a sports enthusiast. He enjoyed football, basketball, track and field, golf, and later even baseball. His loyalty to the New Orleans Saints, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Golden State Warriors was unwavering. He was also known as the "Sports Statistician" and prided himself on being able to cite team records and players' accomplishments and enjoyed engaging in spirited discussions of sports trivia with family and friends. As he prepared for retirement, golf became his favorite pastime. He spent his spare time practicing and playing on golf courses throughout the Bay Area. He joined the Bob Clayton Golf Club and looked forward to the Annual Labor Day Classic when he would join friends for a week of golf at different locations. For over thirty years, he traveled around the country playing golf, dining out, and sharing tall tales with his friends. After moving to Texas, he also joined the Avid Duffers, with whom he played golf every Tuesday. An enthusiastic alumnus of Grambling State University, Elbert enjoyed returning to campus for Homecoming games or to New Orleans for the Bayou Classic. For many years, he and his college roommates would gather with friends to catch up on each other's lives and share stories of their days at GSU. As the years passed, the stories became more exaggerated, but they always shared the joy of being together. He was a proud lifetime member of the Grambling State University Alumni Association. On Thursday morning, October 9, 2025, Elbert departed this life to live eternally with the Lord. He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife, Carolyn Williams Getridge; his loving daughter, Dr. Karla R. (Marvin) Bailey; granddaughter, Dr. Dorian M. Ball; his brother, Donald (Helen) Getridge; and sister, Barbara Getridge-Tross; brother-in-law, George H. (Wanda) Williams; sister-in-law, Beverly W. (Duane) Davis; godchildren, Bridgett Baker McGee, Stephanie J. Veasey, Dr. Ronald Williams II, and Tai J. Chapman; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Elbert's legacy of faith, family, and friends will live in our hearts forever. Visitation will be held at 10:00AM on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Shiloh Missionary ABaptist Church, 185 Eddie Robinson Sr. Drive, Baton Rouge, LA. Services will begin at 11:00AM with Pastor Fred Jeff Smith officiating.