Gertrude McGuire Mimi Childers

Gertrude Naomi McGuire Childers, passed peacefully from this world on May 31, 2010, on the eve of her 105th birthday, surrounded by family. She was born at home on June 1, 1905, in West Orange, Texas, the daughter of Lamar and Belle Terry McGuire. A graduate of Orange High School, she attended college before marrying Everett M. Childers in 1922. Everett Childers was an Orange City Commissioner and President and co-owner of Harms Marine Co. in Orange. Gertrude was a member of the First United Methodist Church, and was active in many school and cultural activities, including the Orange Women's Club and Chautauqua Club. An avid reader and bridge player, she belonged to the Ladies Shakespeare Club of Orange, the Ladies Reading Club and several bridge clubs. Years after her husband's death in 1975, she moved to Beaumont where she resided for 11 years at The Ridgewood Retirement Center. She has lived the past 6 years at The Hampton at Tanglewood, in Houston. Here she received widespread media coverage for her longevity and charitable outreach to MD Anderson Cancer Center, Texas Children's Heart Institute, Star of Hope Mission, and the Houston Food Bank. She was devoted to her family and friends who will dearly miss her strong will, generous spirit, and delightful sense of humor. Those preceding her in death include her husband Everett M. Childers, daughter Mary Aileen Childers Hunter, and son-in-law Keith Hunter of Beaumont; her parents, Lamar and Belle Terry McGuire; siblings Ruth McGuire Godwin, Clyde McGuire Thomas, Edward Smith McGuire and Eugene McGuire. She is survived by her granddaughter Lisa Hunter Plummer and husband, John Plummer; great- grandchildren Erin Hunter Schwarz, Matthew Charles Schwarz, and Jonathan Plummer of Houston; numerous nephews and nieces and their families; and her beloved caregiver Maribel Osorio.

Funeral services are set for Saturday, June 5, 2010 at 1:00, at the Claybar Funeral Home Chapel, 504 5th Street in Orange, Texas with Reverend Sid Thorne officiating. A gathering of family and friends will take place at 12:00 noon before the service. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Orange, Texas. Pallbearers are John Plummer, Matthew Schwarz, Terry Thomas, Todd Thomas, Chuck Schwarz, and John Hart. Memorial donations may be made to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center or a charity of choice.