Gertrude Debose

On Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015 in Lubbock, Texas, at 4:06 p.m. Gertrude Earnestine DeBose (Aunt Bunt) said goodbye.

Stella and Herman Sanders were blessed with a bouncy baby girl, Gertrude, on March 24, 1938 in Nacogdoches, Texas. She shared a blessing with six sisters and one brother. She attended school in Douglas, Texas where she played basketball, ran track and sang in the choir.

She was united at Scotts Temple COG Church at an early age. She participated in many church activities. As a teenager, she stepped out of the box and married Buford Rausaw.

In 1954 Gertrude relocated to Hobbs. She graduated from Hobbs High School in 1956. After graduating high school, she worked for Franklins Clothing Store and for the Densimores while attending beauty school.

She finished beauty school and received her license as a cosmetologist. She worked as a cosmetologist for many years, then went to work for the Mississippi Potash Mine Company.

Gertrude worked for Mississippi Potash Mine Company until she retired. During all of this she adopted two of her nieces, Margaret Sanders and Monique Washington. After her first husband passed away, she met the love of her life, Carter Ray DeBose and they were married until his death.

She is preceded in death by both of her husband's Mr. Buford Rausaw and Mr. Carter Ray DeBose. Both of her parents Mrs. Stella Sanders and Mr. Herman Sanders, two sisters Ms. Lois Nelson and Mrs. Tommie Jean Hayden, and one brother Mr. Hosea Nelson, nephew Mr. C.J. Hutchings, nieces Mrs. Brenda Smith, Ms. Catherine Williams, Ms. Regina Sanders, great-nieces Ms. Cecily Bolden, Ms. Deidre Tate, and great-nephew Mr. Shelby Williams.

Those left to cherish her memories include her adopted daughters, Ms. Margaret Sanders from Nacogdoches and Mrs. Monique Washington (Johnny) from Waco, Texas.

She is survived by her three sisters Mrs. Georgia and Mack (deceased) Vanzandt and Mrs. Opal and Floyd (deceased) Green from Hobbs, New Mexico, Ms. Bobbie Sanders from Nacogdoches, Texas, and Mr. Ernest Hayden brother-in-law from Waco, Texas. She has a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Aunt Bunt spent her time serving the Lord and loved to sing. She also loved to fish and would often make trips to Ruidoso for their fine cuisine.

She continued doing church work. Her church work included many tasks. She was the Youth Choir director, in charge of BTU, active in the Mission Group and a ,ember of the choir at St. John's Baptist Church. Later she became a member of Little Zion Baptist Church where she continued to be very active in the church. She was a member of the OES Order of Eastern Star Chapter 10. She also continued her passion of cosmetology.

She loved her family and there was nothing she wouldn't do for them. She organized and remained president of the Family's reunions until the end. Aunt Brunt was quite a HAM!

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., Monday, Feb. 9, 2015 at Little Zion Baptist Church with Pastor Winfred Gipson, officiating.

Interment will follow in Prairie Haven Memorial Park. Visitation will be Feb. 8 from 1-7 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 3-5 p.m. at Griffin Funeral Home.

Visitation

Service

Cemetery