Gertrude McWilliams

Gertrude Wright McWilliams of Palm Coast, FL died on Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at her residence. She was 93 years old. Gertrude was born June 1, 1919 to Etta and Clarence Carpenter of Indian Head, MD and was second of six children: Agnes, Mitchell, Clarence, Lemuel, and John Carpenter. After graduating from Lackey High School in 1937, she married Shurbey A. Wright and had two daughters Barbara Wright Griffin and Judy Wright Huber. She was widowed in 1969 and remarried in 1989 to Bill McWilliams who preceded her in death. Gertrude or “GiGi” had three grandchildren: Walter Brennon “Brent” Huber, Lora Lee Huber-Rosado, and Shurbey Wright Huber; and great grandchildren Alexander Brennan Huber, Nicole Lauren Huber, Noah Scott Rosado, and Zoey Shurbey Huber. Also survived by her son-in-law Earl Griffin, granddaughter-in-laws, Laura Huber and Jennifer Huber; grandson-in-law, Scott Rosado, and two bonus grandchildren Madison and Liam Overby. Gertrude served as Register of Wills for Charles County for 32 years from 1958-1990. She was the Past President of the Maryland Register of Wills Association and in 1968 was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Henderson Commission to review and revise the Testamentary Laws of Maryland. Gertrude was an active and contributing member of the Charles County Historical Society, the Society for the Restoration of Port Tobacco, the Indian Head/Bryans Road Business Association, the Democratic Club of Charles County, the Cancer Society, the Past President of the Seventh District Democratic Club, and Women of the Year in 1973 as well as a Charter Member of the Business and Professional Women’s Club. She also served on the “Committee of 100", the Charles County Chamber of Commerce, and was a Charter Member of the Zonta Club of Charles County. Gertrude was also an avid golfer, bringing the game to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and continued to play into her seventies. Daughter of the late Clarence Carpenter and the late Etta Adams Carpenter Visitation: Wednesday, July 11, 2012 from 6-8PM at Raymond Funeral Chapel (5635 Washington Avenue, La Plata, MD 20646). Mass of Christian Burial: Thursday, July 12, 2012 at 11AM at St. Catherine of Alexandria (7865 Port Tobacco Road, Port Tobacco, MD 20677) Clergy: Fr. Robert Kosty Interment: Trinity Memorial Gardens (3221 Mattawoman- Beantown Road, Waldorf, MD 20601) Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Valouisa/Flagler (3800 Woodbriar Trail, Port Orange, FL 32129) or the Friendship House Foundation (c/o The Historical Society of Charles County, PO Box 2806, La Plata, MD 20646).

Gertrude McWilliams

June 1, 1919 - July 3, 2012