Gertie Mae Williams Giles was born September 29,1937, in Marvell, Arkansas, to the late Susie Anna Greenleaf Harris and Johnnie Williams.

Gertie was preceded in death by her husband, Orsay V. Giles (Sonny). On Friday, November 29, 2024, she entered eternal rest at 2:50 AM at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Dessa and Hermond Covington of Matteson,IL.

She professed her faith in Christ at an early age and later joined Friendship Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Willie Scott and Rev Earl Johnson. Gertie was a faithful member of the choir and an usher. She was a woman of faith who loved the Word of God and was always willing to serve others. She was highly attentive to His Word, her spiritual medicine: Wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. (Proverbs 4:22)

For several years, Gertie did industrial work in Helena, Arkansas, at the Chicago Lumber Mill and in housekeeping at the Holiday Inn. God anointed her hands to be a caregiver for many family members and an entrepreneur, distributing Avon, Tupperware, Mary Kay, Stanley Products, and Pre-Paid Legal Plans.

She leaves behind her children, who will forever remember her God-ordained legacy: Roy L. Williams (Marianna, AR), Richard E. Giles (Alferma) of Sugar Land, TX, Dessa M. Covington (Hermond) of Matteson,IL; Robert L. Giles of (Marianna, AR); Christine Roebuck (Kenneth) of Eustis, FL; Sherman L. Giles (Carrie) of Houston, TX; Sharon Williams of Houston, TX; Stepdaughter Cynthia Rawls (Clarence) of Little Rock, AR, and one god-daughter, Linda Wright of Calumet City,IL. Gertie also leaves behind to cherish her memory three brothers: George Harris of (Little Rock, AR); Willie Lambert (Brown's addition, AR) and Bennie Williams (Erma) of Memphis, TN; One sister, Lucy Vaughn (Little Rock, AR); Sixteen (16) grandchildren, twenty-five (25) great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.