Gertrude Maye England Kahlbau, 94, a native of Odenville, died Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010.
She was a devoted wife for 18 years until his death in 1959. She then managed her household and raised her three young children by herself and, as far as anyone remembers, without ever raising her voice.
After finishing high school in Parish, she attended business college in Birmingham. Although her primary vocation was mother and homemaker, she worked briefly for the U.S. Post Office and in the business department at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola. She loved ballroom dancing and won trophy after trophy in Fred Astaire competitions.
She and her children attended Myrtle Grove Baptist Church where she served as Sunday school teacher and Girls’ Auxiliary leader for many years. There was never any doubt about the love she had for God, her family and her friends. It was apparent always in the way she gave of herself so sweetly and unselfishly.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Hugh Wayne “Cowboy” Kahlbau; her parents, Marion and Cassandra England; brother, Lynton England; and sister, Alsie Simmons.
Survivors include a sister, Lillian Bennett Bachus; three children, Frank (Marcia) Kahlbau, Santa Fe, N.M., Kathy (Paul) Kattau of Pensacola, Fla., and Wayne (Lorice) Kahlbau of Fairhope; 10 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; two nieces, Bonnie (Micky) Rice and Janie (Bill) Brown; and nephew, Dan (Mary) Bennett.
Visitation begins at 11 az.m. with funeral services at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 23 Faith Chapel Funeral Home South with Pastor Heath Kahlbau officiating. Interment will follow at Myrtle Grove Baptist Cemetery.
Arrangements are by Faith Chapel Funeral Home South, Pensacola, Fla. Online condolences may be made at www.fcfhs.com.
