Homegoing Celebration Service will be held at the Abundant Life Church, 620 Ben Drive, Natchitoches, LA 71457 Saturday, February 6, 2010 at 11:00 a. m. Public Visitation will be convened at the church on Saturday morning from 9:00 a. m. to service time. Burial will follow in the St. Mary Baptist Church (Cane River). Obituary Of Ms. Gertrude Weatherford The service filled Christian life of Ms. Gertrude Weatherford transitioned from labor to reward Sunday, January 31, 2010 at the Natchitoches Regional Medical Center. She was born in Natchitoches, Louisiana September 20, 1930 to the marital union of the late Edward Weatherford and Mary Lee Corine Weatherford Eagle. Sister Weatherford accepted Christ as a personal savior and united with the St. Mary Baptist Church (Cane River) where she remained a loyal and dutiful member until she was called to her ultimate home. She served faithfully on the Usher Board where she held a number of offices during her tenure including Youth Director, Hospitality Director and Chief Cook and Bottle Washer for many years. She also participated with great enthusiasm at the Twelfth District Association Level as a member and a participant of that bodys Usher Board Association where she has previously served as Secretary. Sister Weatherford had a very viable presence with the Natchitoches Parish Council on Aging as well where she was a consistent participant for many years. She was preceded in death by her parents, a step father who reared her, Utteress Eagle, Sr., two sons, Alfred Charles Weatherford (Ju-Ju ) and his twin who died at birth, three brothers John Issac. Utteress Jr., and Dennis and three sisters, Clarice, Helen and Gloria. Left to cherish her fond memory are five children; James Weatherford (Funda) of Natchitoches, LA; Mrs. Linda Weatherford Howard (Donald) of Natchitoches, LA Michael Weatherford (Martha) of New Orleans, LA,Vincent Weatherford of Reno, NV and Gregory Weatherford (Stephanie) of Little Elm, TX; two nieces that she reared as her own, Tonya (Mone) Reliford (Melvin), Imithria (Shawn) Gay of Natchitoches, LA; sixteen grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren; one sister, Ella Smith (Larry) of Riverside, CA, two God-Children, Jo Ann Shields and Jessie M. Bradley and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gertrude Weatherford, please visit our floral store.