Gertrude E. Milbourne

Gertrude Elizabeth Planter Milbourne was born near Hallwood, VA on November 9, 1925, to the late Edward Augustus Planter and Arinthia Holden Planter, the middle child of nine siblings. She departed this life on April 13, 2020, at the home of her first-born child, Bonnie Rose Leslie, in Norfolk, VA. Growing up on a farm, she learned the value of hard work early on, and passed that value on to her children. Her early education was in the Accomack County Public Schools ; then, as a senior citizen, she furthered her education at the Eastern Shore Community College.

Gertrude’s closest earthly friend was her older sister, Lillis (Lil). Their homes were less than two miles apart, and they spent countless hours on each other’s porches, recounting the local news and goings-on, and on occasion, broadening their discussion to current events. Gertrude’s early spiritual life was shaped at Jerusalem Baptist Church, which had been her family’s church for generations. In her 30s, she joined the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith. Later in life she attended Refuge Temple, Rock Church of the Eastern Shore, and Ascended Up On High. She always felt comfortable around people who were worshipping the Lord.

As a teenager, Gertrude worked in Philadelphia for two years – in a cigar factory, and as the nanny for the twins of a Wealthy couple. Then, Bernard James “Duke” Milbourne asked Gertrude to marry him and return to the Eastern Shore. The wealthy couple offered her an immediate raise to stay with them. In the end, Duke prevailed. Duke and “Gert” were married on December 7, 1942, and resided first in Messongo, VA, and then in Makemie Park, VA. Their marriage was Blessed with five children: Bonnie Rose Leslie (Dorrie) of Norfolk, VA; Ronald Lee Milbourne ( Carolyn- her daughters Tene’ and Keesha) of Norfolk, VA; Bernard Bryan Milbourne ( Lillie ) of Williamsburg , VA; Maxine M. Milbourne of  chesapeake, VA; and Erwin Glenn Milbourne of Chesapeake, VA. If Gertrude could love anyone more than she did her children, it would be her grandchildren: Ronald Lee Milbourne, Jr.; Dorrie Devin Leslie; Marshe’ Milbourne-Jackson; and Rebecca Milbourne Johnson. Gertrude is also survived by a brother, Rudolph (Ruby) of Bridgeton, NJ; six great-Grandchildren ; a host of nieces and nephews; cousins; and innumerable brothers and sisters in Christ.

Eventually, as time and declining health took their toll, Gertrude was unable to attend worship services. But she maintained a dynamic, powerful faith in God. No one who experienced one of her Holy Ghost prayers will ever forget it. She testified that she was ” blessed in her children”, that she was a special daughter of God, and that “we are ALL blessed!” The last two words she uttered on this earth were ” Jesus, Jesus.” … “Well done thy good and faithful servant..” Matt. 25:21