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Mrs. Gertrude Elizabeth Johns, daughter of Nicholas and Irma Barbato, was born July 15th, 1924 on a farm in Paoli, Oklahoma. She grew up alongside her two sisters Irma Lee McGlothlin and Othelia Colley, where the family cultivated cotton and raised livestock. After graduating from Paoli High School where she played basketball, she moved to San Antonio, Texas where she set roots and began to establish her blessed and remarkable life. Soon after moving, she met her husband Claudie, an Army Master Sergeant Medical Technician stationed at Fort Sam Houston Base in San Antonio. Claudie played baseball, and in an attempt to win her over, would invite Gertrude to attend his games. Story has it, after hitting a home run and circling home base, Claudie continued into the stands where he asked for Gertrude’s hand in marriage. She was united in holy matrimony to Claudie Johns on August 24th, 1944 in San Antonio. In addition to sports, Gertrude displayed an unwavering devotion and passion for helping others through cooking, as evident through her 20 plus years of service as cafeteria manager at Robert E. Lee High School in San Antonio. She was well known and loved by her students and faculty, especially her athletes, who would never go without extra helpings to ensure they were getting all the nourishment needed to compete. She and Claudie regularly attended Lee High School sporting events, where the atmosphere reminded them of how their own love came to be. This passion and devotion to those she loved was reflected further in her life as she diligently supported her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and nieces/nephews ever present and cheering at their many games over the years. For over 40 years, Mrs. Johns was an active member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in San Antonio where she displayed a loving affection for her spiritual family, volunteering to help the church whenever she could. She graciously took on roles including Vacation Bible School support, greeter, money counter, and helper for charity events such as bunco and pumpkin patches. Additionally her love of cooking emanated through organizing events such as Lenten Luncheons and Loving Service meals held for families after a funeral. As a result of her generous spirit and pleasant personality, she was loved and cherished by many. Her Christian life was as beautiful as the flowers that she loved so well, and her influence will forever remain in the lives of all who knew her. On Friday, May 1st at the home of her daughter Nickie, where she was lovingly cared for, she quietly departed this life to be with our savior and the family that preceded her in death which included her dear husband, Claudie, and her sisters Irma Lee and Othelia. Her beautiful life will forever be treasured in the lives of her daughter Phyllis McLean and long-time partner Delbert West, daughter Nickie Rizzo and son-in-law Jimmy Rizzo, five grandchildren Laura Gonzalez and husband John, Randy Gastinger and wife April, Leslie Baird Sturgis and husband Bill, David Rizzo and wife Emily, Kendall Aljibouri and husband Ali, eleven great-grandchildren including Andrew Gonzalez, Marissa Gonzalez, LeighAnn Gastinger, Logan Gastinger, Noah Gonzalez, Michael Glodowski, Evan Jarzombek, Mary Rizzo, Eva Sturgis, Mason Aljibouri, Mila Aljibouri, and soon to be great grandbaby boy Rizzo, as well as many nephews, nieces, and cousins throughout Texas and Oklahoma. Gertrude shared her love with hundreds over the years and will be remembered as having the uncanny ability to make each of her loved ones feel as if they were her absolute favorite in the world. She will be dearly missed, cherished, and celebrated. In lieu of flowers please send donations in her memory to her beloved church - St. Mark’s Methodist Church at 1902 Vance Jackson, San Antonio, TX 78213.

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Gertrude Elizabeth Johns

July 15, 1924 - May 1, 2020