September 26, 2024, 99, Mount Olive —
After having lived a good, wholesome, and productive life for over 99 years, Mrs. Gertrude Farmer Waller of the Smith Chapel community near Mount Olive, has passed away. Her passing came while she was surrounded by loved ones in the familiar surroundings of her beautiful country home.
Mrs. Waller had been a consummate homemaker and farmer’s wife. She was a long-time member of Smith Chapel Methodist Church and was its oldest living member at the time of her death. At Smith Chapel, she had been a choir member and found much enjoyment in her association with the United Methodist Women. Through the years, she held many positions of Christian service which extended beyond the church walls. Her kindly presence was known throughout her community as she unselfishly met the needs of her family as well as friends and neighbors around her.
The Waller family will receive friends on Wednesday, October 2, at Tyndall Funeral Home beginning at 10:00 a.m. with funeral services to follow at 11:30 a.m. in the funeral home chapel. Officiating will be the Rev. Deborah Sutton. Following the service, the burial will take place at Wayne Memorial Park. Friends and relatives are also being received at the Waller residence.
Following the committal service at the cemetery, family and out-of-town guests are invited to Smith Chapel Methodist Church for a meal and fellowship.
Flowers are welcome, while memorial gifts may be made to Smith Chapel Methodist Church Memorial Fund, c/o Kim Sullivan, 4615 Giddensville Road, Faison, NC 28341.
Mrs. Gertrude, the beloved matriarch of the Waller family, leaves behind a son and daughter-in-law, Dennis and Cathy Waller of Mount Olive; a daughter, Amy Waller Evans of Wilmington; daughter-in-law, Jan Waller of Faison, widow of a deceased son, Stephen K. Waller, Jr.; grandchildren, Angie Waller and husband, Bob Toney, of Faison, Stephenie Waller Thompson and husband, Scot, of Faison, Denise Waller Mason and husband, Lee, of Mount Olive, Keith Waller, and wife, Ginger, of Mount Olive, James Evans and wife, Tara, of Bolivia, and Jenna Evans Ladut and husband, Justin, of Austin, Texas; great-grandchildren, Daniel Thompson, Matthew Thompson, Reagan Waller, Hayden Waller, Emma Evans, Alice Evans, Griffin Ladut, and Grady Ladut; sister-in-law, Katrina Waller Nunn of Mount Olive; along with many nieces and nephews from both the Farmer and Waller families.
Special recognition is extended to those who gave tirelessly in providing care to Mrs. Waller during her final months, allowing her to remain in her home. These include Ginger Waller, Barbara Millard, Bobby Jean Dixon, Sally Vink, Ire Darden, Angeline Artis, and the Gentiva Home Care team including nurse Nikki Wolfe.
Her passing brought about a grand reunion for she is now again with her husband, Stephen Keith Waller, Sr.; son, Stephen Keith Waller, Jr.; her parents, Russell and Winnie Jones Farmer; a brother, Johnny Farmer; a sister, Christine Farmer Jackson; and the many members of the Waller family.
Indeed a wonderful woman has lived, now died; may she rest in eternal peace.
