Gertrude Dickinson Davis in the Robe of Achievement, 1991

Gertrude was born on November 27, 1921 in Shiloh, NJ. She joined the Shiloh church at a young age and was always willing to do her part in all areas of church work. During her maturing years she sand in church choirs and in a quartet for church and other organizations. She attended Shiloh and Bridgeton schools and then graduated from Salem College with a major in Home Economics. In Salem she sang in the Mixed Chorus and Girls’ Glee Club. She was also an active member of the Young Women’s Christian Association.

She and her husband Rev. Leland Davis were missionaries to Guyana, South America from 1961-1966. While there she started a children’s library and directed a Bible Club in the Kitty Mission. Occasionally she also held Bible Clubs in other churches, setting her easel on a small footbridge of the dirt road.

Gertrude was passionate about the need for children’s Sabbath School classes and youth programs. She concentrated on these areas and inspired others to do the same, including her own children.

She co-edited a theme issue of the Sabbath Recorder and wrote articles for this periodical. She participated in the Baptist Prayer Conference and co authored the 1990 prayer booklet with her husband for the SDB  World Federation. She served on the Women’s Board twice once in Riverside and Battle Creek.

Gertrude was an excellent helpmate for her husband in his pastoral duties and stayed right beside him active in her own right in various church events. She has served as Christian Endeavor leader, Bible study leader, deaconess, Sabbath School teacher/superintendent, Vacation Bible School teacher/director, Board of Christian Education member, camp counselor, church clerk, church treasurer, hostess and pianist.

In the Washington, DC Seventh Day Baptist Church she was the church office secretary for 3 years in addition to her other activities. When the church celebrated its 40th anniversary she wrote a history of its first 30 years of existence.

She was a Home Economics teacher and substitute teacher in public schools. She also taught adults to read through the Literacy program in Lake Elsinore and was a Bible studies leader in the Stonecroft Ministries.