Gertie loved to tell people she was hatched on a little farm between Overton and Kilgore near Rabbit Creek. Her parents William Thomas Chappell, Sr. and Lela Indiana King left their home in Georgia on a train, and then after they had arrived in Texas, used a covered wagon to come to Overton. She was the fourteenth of fifteen children, some being born in the covered wagon. Her Father was a farmer. Later oil was discovered on his land. Mr. Chappell allowed families to live on his land and work on the oil wells.
Gertie survived two husbands. She first married Lonnie McGinty, an oil field worker, who died of heart problems in 1964. Then in 1972 she married Lester Lacy, an oil field consultant, who died in 1995.
Gertie lived most of her life in the Kilgore area. She had her own beauty shop for many years in Kilgore. Gertie was active in several Baptist churches. She and Lonnie McGinty helped start Greenway Baptist Church in Gladewater. She tells the story of helping the youth director visit children and teenagers in the community to start a youth group. The latest church Forest Home Baptist Church in Kilgore has been her church home for 48 years. She has taught Sunday School, served on various committees and served as the president of the WMU- Woman's Missionary Union. She recalls teaching Pastor Buddy Duggins in training union when he was seven years old. "He has been a hard worker for the church," she said. "I am very proud of him."
Gertie also loved her family, and over the years took care of many family members including helping raise several children. Also she and her sister Martha headed up the Chappell family reunion for many years.
She is loved by many nephews, nieces as well as many friends.
Gertie is preceded in death by her parents, 14 siblings and both of her husbands.

Published in Longview News-Journal on June 23, 2013