Andrea "Andi" Marcene Gerhart

Beloved mother, grandmother, “Nanny,” sister, aunt, and cousin, Andrea Marcene “Andi” Gerhart, 68, passed from this earth after a brief illness on March 23, 2013 surrounded by her loving family in San Angelo, Texas.

Andi was born June 18, 1944 in San Diego, California to Pat and Maxine Pritchard of Wingate, Texas while Pat was serving in the Navy during WWII.

Andi attended school in Wingate and graduated from Winters High School in 1962. She attended nursing school in Winters and Abilene, Texas. She began her nursing career in her early twenties, graduating from the only LVN class at North Runnels Hospital in Winters. Her nursing career spanned over 48 years in many communities in the state of Texas, including Odessa, Abilene, Winters, Ballinger, Coleman, and San Angelo. She served in the medical field not only in hospital and nursing home care, but also in family planning and outreach, home health, and private duty nursing. Her longest service was to the Ballinger community at Ballinger Memorial Hospital for over 18 years. She retired from San Angelo Community Medical Center, but continued to work as a private duty nurse up until the time of her illness.

Andi had a special zest for life, a contagious laugh, and a tremendous passion for her family. Her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren and attending as many of their activities as possible. She was a country girl at heart. Andi loved country music, dancing, preparing and sharing her favorite recipes, and attending the rodeo and junior livestock shows. Many times she would work a long shift at the hospital and drive through the night to be at her children’s livestock shows, no matter where they were across the state. Andi never missed a sporting event that her children were involved in. Although known to be fashionably late, Andi never missed a family wedding, baby shower, birthday party, or the Heathcott family reunion, which was the highlight of her summer.

Andi never shied away from hard work whether it was in the hospital, on the farm, or working with the animals. She had a servant’s heart with a true caregiver’s spirit. Andi sacrificed much of her personal time to care for her aging parents and other family members when they needed help. She was always available to give encouragement and advice, and she inspired many of her family members to pursue a career in nursing.

Andi was a believer in Christ and was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Winters.

Andi was preceded in death by one son, Darold Joe Smith, and her parents.

She is survived by her four children: sons, James Lee Smith of Saginaw; Harold Joe “Red” Gerhart and wife, Michelle, of San Angelo; and Jarrett Gerhart of Winters; one daughter, Mandi Gerhart Priess and husband, James, of Fredericksburg. She is also survived by her two grandchildren: Michon Gerhart of San Angelo, and Landry Smith of Saginaw. Andi was anxiously awaiting the arrival of her grandson, Joshua Chad Priess, who is due to make his arrival in June. Andi is also survived by brothers, Pat Prichard, Jr. and wife Doris, of Clyde; Joe Prichard and wife, Donna, of Winters; sisters, Mary Lynn Presley and husband, Ronald, of Winters; and Martha Jean “MJ” Spence and husband, David, of Frisco. Andi leaves behind a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and many dear friends.

Services for Andi Gerhart of San Angelo will be held at First United Methodist Church in Winters on Tuesday, March 26 at 2:00 pm. Reverend David Montoya will officiate. Burial will follow in the Wingate Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Denny Heathcott, Llano Heathcott, Robby Heathcott, Ronald Heathcott, Johnny Bob Pritchard, and Steve Pritchard. Honorary pallbearers are brothers-in-law, cousins, nephews, and nephews-in-law.

The family wishes to thank the many caregivers who assisted during Andi’s illness: Drs. Leckie, Durham, Blanc, and Prieto; and the staff of San Angelo Community Medical Center, with special thanks to the ICU nursing staff.

The family has asked that memorial donations may be made to the Winters Activity Center Meals on Wheels, 601 Wood Street, Winters, Texas 79567, or to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.