"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit."
Thessalonians 5:16-19

We rejoice in the life of Gertrude Malinda Wingate, daughter of the late Charles R. Galloway and Alma Broadnax, who was born August 3, 1926 in Leaksville, North Carolina. She entered eternal rest, Tuesday morning on December 16, 2014 at the Hospice Center in Jamaica Hospital Center in Queens, New York, never quenching her spirit.

Gertrude graduated with honors from Douglass High School in Leaksville on May 7, 1943. Postponing her own dreams, she and her oldest sister Mildred Lewis, worked as beauticians to put their two younger siblings, Charles Galloway Jr. and Sarah Galloway through college. Her reward was that her brother became a doctor and her sister became a teacher.

Gertrude's adventurous spirit, led her from the segregated south to New York City’s opportunities. There she met Ernest F. Wingate at the famous Savoy Ballroom. They married on March 9th 1957 and their union gave birth of a son, Maurice. Together they built a life that allowed them to generously support the aspirations of others. Gertrude became an administrator, working as a Benefits Analyst for the Social Security Administration. Throughout her life she continued to inspire young people to get an education and to excel in their professions.

As a woman of faith, her devotional spirit was fed at Calvary Baptist Church for more than forty years, where she enriched her spiritual education through Bible Study Classes and sang her gratitude in the choir. A lifelong learner, Gertrude continued to sharpen her intelligence playing with her scrabble group. Plus she loved crossword puzzles, completed picture puzzles, which she hung on her walls.

Gertrude also enjoyed the fellowships developed through Calvary Baptist Church which included her beloved friends Daisy Manning, Mary Dear, Bobbie Spivey and Norma Penn. Gertrude loved to travel abroad extensively. When at home, she loved to entertain family and friends during the holidays. And to the very end she continued to cultivate her personal sense of style.

Though her health declined steadily from Christmas 2013, her spirit continued to shine, showing strength, determination, and gratitude for each day of life! She leaves the rich inheritance of her life lessons to her son Maurice and his wife Roseann (who adored her as a second mother); two grandsons, Nigel Wingate and Orpheus Jordan; two nieces Rita Lewis and Marie Lewis and one grandnephew Paul Stevens. And everyone who crossed her path will continue to be enriched by her joy, faith, and thanksgiving through their memories of a life well lived!

Her husband, Ernest F. Wingate, preceded her in death, as did her parents, sisters and brother, but they are now all reunited.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gertrude M. Wingate, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.