Gertrude (Harris) Jernagin, 90, KCMO, passed away on January 14, 2017. She was born March 16, 1926 to sharecroppers, Walter and Lelar (Bryant) Harris on the Whaley Plantation in Whaley, Mississippi. She was the fifth of eleven children. Both parents; five brothers Willie Lee Byant, Walter Harris, Jr., Dudley Harris, Luther Harris and James Harris; and four sisters, Louise Harris, Addie Mae Gernigan, Jonella Harris and Magnolia Harris preceded her in death. Gertrude's parents moved from Whatley, Mississippi to Wilderwood Plantation in Leflore, Mississippi when she was seven years old. Six years later her mother passed away from childbirth complications, and her father passed away the next year. After that time, she and her siblings lived with various relatives, which caused some of them to be separated from each other. She confessed her belief in Jesus Christ as a member of Summit Chapel in Leflore, Mississippi at a young age. Gertrude met and married Lister Jernagin in 1957, where she was married for thirteen years. her husband preceded her in death in 1970. Gertrude was pregnant with one child who she was not able to carry full term. Although she did not have children of her own, she nurtured countless nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. She was so loved that one of her nieces bears her name. Affectionately known as "Gert" or "Aunt Gert", you could count on her to answer the phone with a sweet greeting of "Hello" in her gentle Mississippi southern voice. Even when she was challenged in her body, she would always say, "I feel pretty good". She sweetly would end every conversation with a softly spoken "bye-bye". She was known for her three bean salad and beef brisket. Gertrude had a wit that could not be matched and was the best person to share a joke with. Her memory and story telling was so vivid it would make you feel like you were standing there with her. Her laughter and sweet voice will be missed, but kept close to heart. She leaves to cherish her memory: her loving sister, Donna Mae Williams of Chicago, IL; her beloved niece, Juanita (Johnson) Mondaine; a host of nephews, nieces, great nephews, great nieces, other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be Monday, January 23, 11:00 a.m. at Duane E. Harvey Funeral Directors. Interment Forest Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at the chapel. Services conducted by Duane E. Harvey Funeral Directors. Condolences may be shared on our website.