Gertrude Caldwell Settle, age 100, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, April 18, 2005. She was born in Van Alstyne, Texas on February 9, 1905 to Charlie Alvin and Essie (Conner) Caldwell. Because of the death of her parents, Gertrude and her brothers and sister were raised in Buckner’s Orphans Home in Dallas. She was always grateful for the love and firm hand of “Father” Buckner and the Christian foundation she received by living at Buckner’s. While at the home, her job, even as a young girl was tending younger children. She left Buckner’s when she was seventeen. She married Joseph Edgar Settle in McKinney in September 1926. She is survived by her three daughters who adored her and to whom she dedicated much of her life, Dorothy (Thurman) Cushman and her husband, Bruce of Denton, Billie Cox and husband, John Max of Denison, and Bettie Fitzhenry and husband, Jim of Salado; and daughter-in-law, Mary (Lane) Settle of Phoenix, AZ. Preceding her in death was her husband of 60 years, “Joe” Settle who died in 1977, and son Joe Edward Settle. Also preceding her in death was her sister, Lillian Caldwell Morrison, and brothers, Olen, Bid, Floyd and Raymond Caldwell. She had nine beautiful grandchildren who lovingly called her “Nanny”: Suzanne Thurman Thiles, Risa Thurman Madison, Charles Thurman, Kathy Cox, David Cox, Julie Fitzhenry Corley, Gay Fitzhenry Butz, Michael Settle and John David Settle. Nine great grandchildren also survive her. The Settles raised their children in McKinney, but later moved to Richardson in 1955 for employment. Joe was a master carpenter and Gertrude was employed for years by Morgan & Lindsay in Richardson. In retirement, they moved to Sherman in 1970, to be closer to family. She spent most of her life as a housewife, mother, grandmother and babysitter, all of which she enjoyed very much. She maintained her home on North Woods Street in Sherman until she moved to the Katy House in Denison where she lived for over a year before breaking her hip and moving to the Homestead in 2003. She spent all of her life caring for others, the sick and terminally ill. She cared for friends and neighbors and even early in her married life, cared for a terminally ill father-in-law. Her abilities in this area were phenomenal and were called upon frequently. She was always putting others first and trying to be Christ-like in her actions. Gertrude was a member of the East Sherman Baptist Church for many years. A graveside service will be held at 3:00 PM, Wednesday, April 20, 2005 at Ridgeview Memorial Park with son-in-laws, Rev. Bruce Cushman and Bro. John Cox officiating. Visitation will be from 12:00 to 2:00 PM prior to the service at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the East Sherman Baptist Church in Sherman, Texas.