Gertie Kilgore

Visitation for Alva Gertrude “Gertie” Birdwell Kilgore will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 30, 2021, at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches, LA. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 31, 2021, at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home with burial following at Ajax Cemetery with Bro. Jay Begbie, Bro. T. J. Boyd, Bro. Glen Howard and Bro. Brian Jennings officiating. “Gertie”, 96 years of age, passed away on October 26, 2021 at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center surrounded by family and friends. She was born October 31, 1924 in Pleasant Hill to Thomas and Susie Birdwell. Everyone loved Gertie and there was never a person that was not welcome in her home. She always enjoyed their company and no one ever left hungry. Her grandchildren have fond memories of her ringing a chicken’s neck, cutting it up and frying it. They loved eating at her house and will always remember her cathead biscuits and sugar syrup. Gertie had a love for basketball. She played on a half dirt court and won a State Championship at Ajax High School. Her love for sports led her to support all her grandchildren in their games. Gertie enjoyed road trips and spa days, which kept her young at heart. Gertie was a faithful Christian at Crossroads Baptist Church in Marthaville, LA until her move to Natchitoches, where she became a member of Grand Ecore Baptist Church. She worked and retired from Natchitoches Parish School Board where she was employed at the Marthaville Processing Plant. Gertie was a loving mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother. She was “Granny” to everyone. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Susie Birdwell; husband, Charles B. Kilgore, Jr.; four brothers, Percy Birdwell, Frank Birdwell, Johnny Birdwell and G. W. Birdwell; two sisters, Elizabeth “Red” Lindsey and Ella Dee Townsend; Her son-in-law, James “Jimbo” Leslie; Twin sons, Gary G. and Terry G. Kilgore Sr and two grandchildren; Mary Susan Kilgore and Jennie Lynn Kilgore. She is survived by her loving sister of 95 years, Mae Bell Brown of Ajax, LA whom she talked on the phone with numerous times a day up until her last breath; Her children Mary Lu Byles (Ronnie) and Peggy Leslie (Johnnie Lewis) of Natchitoches, LA; Her daughter-in-laws Gusty Kilgore of Marthaville, LA and Frances Kilgore of Natchitoches, LA; Her loving grandchildren that she thought did no wrong, Terry G. (Amy) Kilgore Jr. of Geismer, LA, Mark (Julie) Kilgore of Mansura, LA, Kasey Byles Cain, Ron (Lacy) Byles and Amber Calvert of Natchitoches, LA, and Michelle (Rob) Sandifer of Vail, AZ; Her great grandchildren; Colby (Tiffany) Kilgore of Marthaville, LA, Lee and Molly Kilgore of Geismer, LA, Nathan Cain, Addison and Madeleine Byles, T.K. and Kira Calvert of Natchitoches, LA, Cade and Cort DuBois of Mansura, LA, Chad, Sydney and Kate Sandifer of Vail, AZ. Great great grandchildren; Kinleigh and Kason Kilgore of Marthaville, LA. Pallbearers will be Bronson Ingram, Barclay Whitaker, Randall “Chub” Hayes, Shawn Thompson, Stanley “Tater” Smith, Homer “Jr” Free, Tommy Birdwell, Thomas Lynn Lindsey, Shane Mitchell, Nathan Cain and T.K. Calvert. Granny loved her Jr. Pallbearers, Cort DuBois, Cade DuBois, Lee Kilgore and Kason Kilgore. Honorary Pallbearers will be Terry Kilgore Jr., Mark Kilgore, Colby Kilgore, Ron Byles, Rob Sandifer, Ray Lindsey, Ronnie Byles and Johnnie Lewis. The family would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Kathleen Kautz and staff, Dr. Dennis Britten, Dr. Chris Ingram, Dr. Anil Matta, Dr. Michelle Mayeux, and Hattie Smith.