Gertrude Thibodeaux - Chatlin

Our very precious and beloved mother, grandmother, great and great-great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and dear friend-Gertrude Thibodeaux Chatlin, 97, of Raywood, Texas, peacefully transitioned from this life and entered eternity on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at 8:15 AM.
She was born on Friday, October 14, 1927, in Opelousas, Louisiana to Thelisma and Mary Thibodeaux. She was the eldest of eight other siblings: Joseph, Peter, Irby, Margaret, Charlie, Aneva, Mary Dean, and Gloria Thibodeaux.
The Thibodeaux family eventually migrated to Beaumont, Texas where Gertrude met Walter Chatlin, and they were married on April 23, 1946. Walter and Gertrude later moved to Raywood, TX in 1958 to raise their own family and live the rest of their lives together. From this holy union, eight children were born: Raymond (Baytown, TX), Shirley "Sister" (Houston, TX), Faye Ella (Jake Johnson-Magnolia, TX), Michael (Regina-Terre Haute, IN), Milton (Evelyn-Baltimore, MD), Walter Jr. (Raywood, TX), Frances (Ames, TX), and Linda (Liberty, TX). Gertrude was a grandmother of twenty-four grandchildren, a host of great-grandchildren, a host of great-great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews (so many to count-as we were fruitful, and we certainly multiplied).
Gertrude lived a very simple, peaceful, and fulfilling life. She especially enjoyed the Lord Jesus and prayer. She loved family time, birthday celebrations, laughter, good food, gardening, fishing and camping in earlier times, coloring books, puzzles, sewing, and crocheting (just to name some of her many hobbies). She was known to have a sweet tooth (a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, almost any flavored candy, or bananas to name some of her favorite sweets). But she also loved her time of peace and quiet, and she wouldn't mind letting us know! Gertrude would often say she didn't want to look like an "old woman", so she made sure to always keep herself well-dressed and groomed.
Those who knew Gertrude can agree that she was very outspoken at times. She wasn't the type of person who would "bite her tongue". She was very straightforward. But she demonstrated a perfect balance of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. She truly exemplified the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Another pleasant memory is that she wasn't known to raise her voice at anyone out of anger, yet she was firm. Some also can attest that she had a beautiful sense of humor while exhibiting pure elegance and vivaciousness.
Three fun facts:
1. She enjoyed pimple popping.
2. She made each of her grandchildren feel like "the favorite grandchild".
3. In her later years, she had a very selective hearing but could manage to hear a "pin drop"(which still remains a mystery today).
On February 22, 2023, our precious Gertrude decided to dedicate her life to Jesus Christ and received the water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ at the graceful age of 95 years old (right in her very own backyard, by Minister J. Wint of Houston, TX). She rejoiced as the Holy Spirit moved on her, and her exact words were "God is good! God is so good!"
Gertrude was preceded in death by one miscarried baby, both parents, husband of over 50 years, three brothers, three grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. She was so blessed by the Almighty God and loved by so many. Her joyful smile, laughter, heavy Creole-accented voice, warm hugs and kisses, and just her presence alone, will be deeply and sorely missed by many. With God's help, Gertrude was the "glue" that held her family together. She has left behind a very blessed legacy, where there will be many wonderful moments and memories to cherish in our hearts and minds for years to come. We will certainly miss her.