Gertrude Henderson was born in Vivian, Louisiana on July 25, 1943 to the late Elnora Traylor and the late Booker T. Malone. She married Bernice Henderson in Texarkana, Arkansas. Although she never worked outside the home, Gertrude chose to dedicate her time to caring for her household and her child.

Gertrude truly embraced life through simple pleasures, such as chatting with family and friends, dancing with her son and grandchildren, and spending quality time with her daughter-in-law, nieces and nephew. She had a remarkable ability to connect deeply and positively with those around her.

She is survived by her son, Curtis Malone (Ruthie); sister, Annie Malone; her stepchildren, Charles Henderson, Vernice Henderson (Robert), Jerdine Henderson, Annie Henderson and Essie Henderson; and her oldest grandchildren, Barbara Franklin (Roger), Casandra Griffin (Billy), Kevin Griffin, Tamika Jones (James), Latrisha Deaver, Curtis Sanders (Lashonda), and April Sanders. Gertrude also cherished her special friends, Betty Atkins, David Ray, Tommy Adcock and Robert Taylor (deceased).