Georgie Mae Gandre

Georgie Mae Gandre, 94, of Gonzales, passed away Friday, July 15, 2016. Georgie was born June 13, 1922 in Vicksburg, MS to Abraham and Ida George. She married Andrew Traeger Gandre on May 5, 1946 in Vicksburg. Georgie was raised as a member of the Eastern Orthodox Church and was married in this church in Vicksburg and she converted to the Methodist church in 1960.

Georgie was born one of five children and attended school in Vicksburg. She had been raised in the Syrian Orthodox Church and after graduating went to work as a bookkeeper in a retail store.

She met Andrew Gandre through mutual friends while Andrew was working in Vicksburg. Their courtship lasted short of a year before they married. Because of the demands of Andrew’s career, the family moved quite frequently throughout the United States and Canada before Andrew and his family moved home to Gonzales in 1960.

Georgie was a very busy homemaker, working hard to make a comfortable home each time the family was relocated. As her two boys grew older and the family was well established in Gonzales, Georgie accepted a teller position in the Gonzales First National Bank.

Georgie was a kind hearted amiable lady with an outgoing personality who quickly was accepted in the Gonzales community and her church family. She loved joking around and her sharp wit always brought forth enduring smiles.

She taught Sunday school for 42 years and along the way touched many young lives through her willingness to share her faith. Georgie was a loving mother, the sweetest grandmother and great-grandmother therefore as a testament to the reciprocal love of her great-grandchildren she was known as “Grandma Darlin”.

Georgie had an insatiable “sweet tooth” and she loved chocolate and Coca-Cola. She never held a driver’s license, but it never really seemed to be a problem. Georgie had many loving and dear friends that would drive her to wherever she needed to go after her husband had passed away and she was left without transportation. This too was a testament to the many that loved her and were willing to come to her aid.

Georgie Gandre lived a life of giving of herself, sharing her love, faith, good humor and sensibility with everyone in her life’s path. To paraphrase the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, the world is better place because she lived.

Georgie Mae Gandre is survived by her loving sons and daughters-in-law, George Phillip and Cecilia Gandre of Granite Bay, Calif. and Guy Andrew and Katherine Gandre of Kyle; brother, Dr. Phillip George of Memphis, Tenn.; niece, Georgeanne Hoseman of Birmingham; grandchildren, Andrew Gandre, Dana Gandre, Nicole Gandre, Elizabeth Gandre Proctor, and Julie Gandre; great-grandchildren, Cash Proctor, Emileen Proctor, and McCrae Proctor. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents; brother, George George; sisters, Annie Weaver and Louise Vallas and a daughter-in-law, Teresa Gandre.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 23 in the Gonzales First United Methodist Church with Pastor Matt Pennington officiating. Interment followed in the Gonzales Masonic Cemetery. Pallbearers were Andrew Gandre, Robert Gandre, Wilfred Gandre, Branden Gandre, Mike Fuhr, and Zeke Proctor. Honorary pallbearer was Leroy Lavender.

The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Gonzales First United Methodist Church. Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.