Gertha Mae Anderson Fudge passed away September 9, 2024 at her home on Fudge Hill in Grider, Kentucky surrounded by her loving family. She was born to Floyd and Maud Ellen (Anderson) Anderson on October 14, 1926 at the Anderson Homeplace on Hominy Creek in Cumberland County, Kentucky. Gertha met the love of her life, Joe Preston “Preacher” Fudge when she was in high school. Preacher and Gertha were married on December 30, 1944 and shared 67 years together. Gertha taught at Pitman Creek’s one room schoolhouse for two years in the 1950s and returned to teaching in the 1980s when she served as a teacher and coordinator for Cumberland County’s adult literacy program. Gertha always said her main job in life was serving her family, which she said was a true blessing. She was more than just a daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother. Gertha was a caregiver, teacher, cook, babysitter, doctor, entertainer, counselor, and peacemaker.
Gertha joined the Marrowbone Baptist Church when she accepted the Lord and was baptized at age eleven. She moved her membership to Grider United Methodist Church after she married Preacher and continued to grow in her faith as she served the Lord in various roles in the church and in the community.
Gertha was preceded in death by her husband Preacher, her parents Floyd and Maud; her brothers Gid Anderson, Will Anderson, Sam Anderson, Guy Anderson, and Paul Anderson; her sisters Lovie Garmon, Letha Garner, Rita Pitcock, Maurine Guthrie; and two sons-in-law Robert Keeton and Donald Lawson.
Gertha leaves to cherish her memory, her children, Margenia Fudge Keeton, Vicki Fudge Lawson, and Robin Fudge Gray (Russell). Her grandchildren: Kyna Keeton Estes (Chris), Kara Keeton, Ryan Lawson (Haley), Ben Lawson (Katie), Megan Gray McIlvain (Jason), and Katelyn Gray Salman (Salam). Her great-grandchildren: Kalie Estes, Krisia Estes, Jake Keeton, Vera Lawson, Preston Lawson, Molly Lawson, Gray McIlvain, Vin McIlvain, Eli McIlvain, Malia Salman, and Lana Salman.
The funeral service was conducted in the Memory Chapel of Norris-New Funeral Home on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. David Alexander officiating. Ms. Tillie Cowherd provided piano prelude, special music, and piano recession. Burial was in the Grider Memorial Cemetery in Cumberland County, Kentucky. Pallbearers were, Barry Dyer, Brian Dyer, Chris Estes, Murrell Graves, Ben Lawson, Ryan Lawson, and Chuck Price. Honorary pallbearers were, Russell Gray, Jason McIlvain, Salam Salman, Brian Anderson, Kenny Anderson, Larry Anderson, Mike Anderson, Ronnie Anderson, Steve Blakley, Rick Capps, Dr. Robert Flowers, Sr., Dr. Robert Flowers, Jr., Brandon Gibson, Ralphy Guthrie, John Hurt, Matt Hurt, Randall Hurt, Steve Hurt, Stevie Pitcock, Wendell Pitcock, and Bobby Stokes.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cemetery Care Corporation (in support of Grider Memorial Cemetery) or Grider Methodist Church. Donations may be mailed to Margenia Keeton at 170 Fudge Hill, Burkesville, Kentucky 42717.
Norris-New Funeral Home in Burkesville, Kentucky was honored to be in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences at https://www.norris-new.com