February 21, 2022 - Ms. Gertrude Johnson Lane was elected the first African American female Mayor of San Augustine, Texas where she served for about 10 years.
At 92 at the time of her death, Cousin Gertrude Lane had lived a very productive life. I had been in Center for a while when her life ended and I was able to attend the funeral services. Life came to a close after an extended time in the local nursing home where she and her husband William Lane had shared a room before his death.
Gertrude grew up in San Augustine, Texas where she attended San Augustine Public Schools and graduated in 1944 as Salutatorian of her class. In 1952 she received a B.A. degree from Texas College, Tyler Texas. Later, she attended Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas earning 39 hours at the graduate level. From 1960 to 1987 she served 27 years as a teacher in the Houston and Beaumont school districts.
She met and married William (Dub) Lane in 1964. Gertrude and W. M lived in Beaumont, Texas for most of their lives where she worked and retired from the Beaumont school system in 1987. Once retired, the couple moved to San Augustine to make their home. Many trips were made to Center to shop or dine out.
Not only was Gertrude loved by her neighbors but also by her family. She was the 'go-to' person for the Johnson-Garrett Family Reunion which occurred every year on Fathers' Day Weekend in San Augustine or surrounding areas until her health failed. She still attended when she could. The family really misses her jokes, her laughter, and her professional ideas.
She is one who will be remembered by family and the residents of San Augustine, Texas.
