Gertrude J. Carson, formerly of Southview Drive in East Liverpool, slipped peacefully into eternal rest at Foxcrest in Chester early Sunday morning, January 18, 2015. She was 88.

She was born in Hebron, Nebraska on March 28, 1926, a daughter of the late Edward and Emma Albrecht Schmidt. “Gert”, as she was affectionately called, came to the East Liverpool area upon her marriage to Edwin Scott Carson, longtime office manager at Homer Laughlin China Company. Ed, whom she married on April 13, 1947, preceded her in death on April 10, 2003.

Gert made East Liverpool her home in every way; she had served for several years on the East Liverpool Board of Education, until retiring in 1982, and was a past school secretary as well as secretary at the Board of Education offices in the East Liverpool and Newell school systems. Additionally, her memberships included the Coterie Club and the East Liverpool City Hospital Auxiliary, where she was a longtime surgical hostess.

A faithful member of St. John Lutheran Church, Gert had been secretary there until 1988, and also belonged to the East Liverpool Christian Women organization. She was also financial secretary and a member of the Preschool Board, serving as treasurer for several years.

Gert – along with Ed – enjoyed their free time together golfing, playing Bridge, dancing and traveling. Their kindness to others endeared them to all. Classy and elegant without being pretentious, those who knew her best will miss her sweet smile and the ever-present twinkle in her eyes.

Surviving her are two sons, James Scott Carson and his wife, Florence Bainbridge Carson, of Reston, VA; and John Dana Carson, and his wife Vicki, of Pittsburgh, a sister, Leota Unverfehrt, of Norfolk, NE, and a brother Edward Schmidt of St. Louis, MO. Gert also cherished her two grandchildren: Todd Carson of Seoul, S. Korea and Owen Carson of Pittsburgh. Gert was preceded by a brother, Rev. Reuben Schmidt.

Friends may visit at the Dawson Funeral Home on Wednesday, where the family will be present from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m.

Services will take place at the St. John Lutheran Church at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, with Rev. Eric Edwards of the church officiating. Gert will be laid to rest at Riverview Cemetery at a later date.