Sunrise 11/1/69 Sunset 3/17/23
“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence comes my help. My help comes from the Lord, which made heaven and earth”. Psalm 121: 1-2
It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts, the Harris, Forteah, and Roberts families announce the peaceful home-going of our dear mother, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin and friend, Gertrude Forteah Roberts Harris. This sad event occurred on March 17, 2023 at her home in Parlin , New Jersey.
Gertrude was the biological daughter of Boyonnah “Lucy” Nyepan and George Forteah of Harper Maryland County, Liberia.
At the early age of 12 years she relocated from Harper to Monrovia and was adopted by Cathlyn and Charles B. Roberts Jr.
She attended the Assemblies of God Elementary School in Monrovia. In 1990 during the Liberian civil war Gertrude relocated to the USA with the family and went on to complete her secondary education at Harold S. Vincent High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
She continued her education at Middlesex County College, Middlesex, NJ, Class of 2011, with an Associate Degree in Childhood Education. Later she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from National University, Class of 2023. (awarded posthumously).
She was a devoted Christian and member of the Faith Healing Temple of Jesus Christ while residing in Monrovia.
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Gertrude attended the Underwood Baptist Church, Wauwatosa and established lasting friendships, some of which she maintained up to the time of her death.
Gertrude was married at the Underwood Baptist Church to Arthur Bexley Harris with whom she relocated to New Jersey to start her own family. That marriage was blessed with three lovely children, Wachen, Miatta and Arthur Bexley Harris Jr. (AB). Gertrude and Arthur Bexeley Harris Sr. were subsequently divorced.
Gertrude was dearly loved and left a legacy of love for her mother, her children, her family and her many friends.
She leaves to mourn her loss her children: Wachen, Miatta and AB. Her biological mother Boyonnah “Lucy” Nyepan, her parents Cathlyn and Charles B. Roberts Jr.,
her siblings Georgette Forteah, Florence Sirleaf, Charles B. Roberts III, Charlyn Mai Roberts, Winston Roberts, Florence Denise Roberts, and Christine Bernard together with a host of other relatives including aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and many close friends in the USA and Liberia.
Viewing and Wake-keeping:
Carmen F. Spezzi Funeral Home
15 Cherry Lane, Parlin, NJ
Thursday, March 30, 2023
5:30 pm to 9:00 pm
*All tributes to be paid at wake except church and family.
Funeral Service:
Living Word Family Church
494 Krochmally Avenue
Perth Amboy, NJ 08859
Friday, March 31, 2023
10:30 am to 12:30 pm
Cemetery:
Alpine Cemetery
703 Amboy Avenue
Perth Amboy, NJ 08861
The family would like to express sincere thanks to everyone, for your thoughts, prayers, love, and words of comfort during this difficult and challenging time.
Contacts:
Wachen Harris: (732) 484-7233
Miata Harris: (732) 484 – 7232
Johnette Fitzjohn: (347) 777-1614
Charles Roberts: (651) 246-0412
Florence Sirleaf: (414) 678-8106
Sangay Sirleaf Gaskin: (414) 232-7350
