Gertrude Pocte Geddes Willis
Gertrude Pocte Geddes Willis (1878-1970) founded the Gertrude Geddes Willis Life Insurance Company and Gertrude Geddes Willis Funeral Home in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was one of the first women funeral directors in New Orleans.[1][2]
Gertrude Pocte Geddes Willis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Gertrude Pocte March 9, 1878 Happy Jack, Louisiana |
| Died | February 20, 1970 (aged 91–92) New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Businesswoman |
| Spouse(s) | Clem Geddes William A. Willis |
Biography
Willis née Pocte was born in Happy Jack, Louisiana on March 9, 1878.[1]
Her first husband Clem Geddes was in the funeral business. The couple partnered with Arnold Moss to form a company that sold insurance as well as owning a funeral home.[3]
After Clem Geddes died in 1913 she married William A. Willis. In 1940 she renamed the business the Gertrude Geddes Willis Funeral Home and Life Insurance Company.[3] In William A. Willis died, and Gertrude continued running the company, expanding its services.[4]
Geddes was a member of the NAACP, the YWCA, and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Peter Claver.[1][4][2]
Forsythe died on February 20, 1970 in New Orleans.[2]
References
- Kranz, Rachel (2004). African-American Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs. Infobase Publishing. p. 292. ISBN 978-1-4381-0779-0.
- "Gertrude Geddes Willis". Daily World. Opelousas, Louisiana. February 25, 2008. p. 2A.
- Krismann, Carol (2005). Encyclopedia of American Women in Business: M-Z. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 561. ISBN 978-0-313-33384-2.
- Jones, Jae (20 November 2017). "Gertrude Pocte Geddes-Willis: One of the First Black Female Funeral Directors in New Orleans". Black Then. Retrieved 9 February 2020.