Gertrude Clark Cairo was the youngest of seven children. She was born in Travis County to Cleve Clark and Margaret Walker Clark in Manor, Texas.
The young Gertrude attended Travis County Schools and graduated from Anderson High School in Austin Texas.
In 1943, Miss Gertrude married Dorsey Cairo and to that union their three angels were born: Bobbie, Arnold and Shirley Cairo. Little Gertrude was the youngest of seven (7) children including three (3) sisters and three (3) brothers who have all gone on before her.
Mrs. Gertrude Clark Cairo realized the value of education and enrolled in beauty college with Madam C. J. Walker. She then opened her beauty shop in 1952 in Austin, Texas.
Later, she became a cook at the University of Texas where she cooked in sorority and fraternity houses.
In 1965, Gertrude Clark Cairo left Austin and moved to Fort Worth and then later to Grand Prairie.
Mrs. Cairo dedicated the rest of her life to working as a cook because of her love for serving people. To further that love, she later went to cake decorating school in Grand Prairie. As a cook and a chef, she worked for Dallas Baptist College and Semi Flight, a part of Lockheed Martin, until she retired.
Sister Cairo became a member of True Vine Miracle Tabernacle in the early 1970s where she was a faithful member. She served as a Sunday School teacher for the young people.
Mrs. Gertrude was an avid fisherwoman who also enjoyed baking cakes, cooking, sewing, and hair dressing.
Towards the end of her life, Mother Gertrude Clark Cairo was the matriarch of five generations. Cherishing the memories of their mother include: daughter Bobbie Cairo Sauls, son Arnold Cairo and daughter Shirley Cairo. This grandmother also had 13 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren and 20 great-great grandchildren. Auntie Gertrude also leaves behind three nephews: Harry Bedford of Northern California, Larry Bedford of Wichita Falls, Texas and Rev. Eugene Bonner of Dallas, Texas; one niece: Ann Kathryne of Wichita Falls, Texas and a host of cousins and other relatives and friends.
