Gertie Graham was born January 11, 1931 to Reuben Augustus and Rosie Warren Graham. She was the third of three children. She attended public schools in Waxahachie, Texas and was crowned the first Miss Oak Lawn. She attended Navarro College at the Corsicana location and earned her credentials as a Childcare Associate which she used well helping the children of the Waxahachie Head Start Program. Her entire family of origin preceded her into a better place. Those members include her parents, Reuben and Rosie Graham; one brother, Reuben Graham, Jr.; and a cherished sister, Doris Chandler. She was a volunteer at the Senior Citizen's Center of Waxahachie, Fraternal Cemetery Clean-up Committee, a food deliverer for Meals on Wheels, a devoted member of Joshua Chapel Combined Choir, President of the Stewardess Ministry, and the Sunday School Assistant Superintendant. Her sufferings in this life were nothing in comparison to her present glory and praise (Romans 8:18). She fought a great fight with unflatering trust in God and a smile that could light up a room to the end.