Gigette Goertz Gilles

Gigette Goertz (DeDe) Gilles, of Ballinger passed away February 19, 2016 from a lengthy illness. DeDe was surrounded by her loving family in the comfort of home.

Gigette was born to Albert Friezon Goertz and Dorothy Nell Martin on July 1, 1942 in Texon Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, Patrick B. Newbrough and Charles M. Gilles, and a sister Tina Hall. She is survived by her daughter, Mylea Newbrough Flanagan and husband Scott A. Flanagan; four grandchildren, Alyssa Beth, Shane Patrick, Avery Grace and Benjamin Jordan of Ballinger; one brother, Roger Lamar Goertz of San Angelo and several cousins.

Gigette was born and raised in Texon and later moved to Big Lake Texas, where she graduated from Reagan County High School in 1960. After high school she attended San Angelo College her first year, transferred to Sul Ross University then spent her last two years at Texas Tech University graduating with a a degree in Elementary Education.

She began her teaching career in Midland. After marrying Pat in 1965 and having their daughter, Mylea, the next year, they moved to Ruidoso, NM, where they taught for a few years before moving to Monanhans, TX to teach. While living in Monahans she obtained a Masters in Special Education from Sul Ross University and she received special training in dyslexia from Scottish Rite Hospital. Pat got back in the oil business and that brought them back to Midland where DeDe taught Title 1 Reading and Special Education. In 1980, she obtained her Supervisor of
Teachers Certificate from UTPB, and trained K-3 teachers and supervised math and reading in Title 1 schools.

After Pat's illness, they moved to Brownwood to live near the lake. DeDe continued to teach Special Education at High School while working to receive her diagnostician certificate. She served as Special Education Diagnostician for 5 years at Brownwood High School before ending her teaching career at the Texas Youth Commission teaching Special Education classes in the girl's unit for five years.

After a lengthy illness, Pat died in 1996; they were married 30 years. She met Charles (Chuck) Gilles in 1999 and married him. They moved to Abilene after she retired in 2003. She enjoyed shopping for her grandkids and "spoiling" them. She had a special dog "Pickles" that kept her active. After Chuck's lengthy illness and death in January 2015, Dede moved to Ballinger. Grandee, as she was known by her grandchildren, bought a cute little house to be near her family.

DeDe loved to work in her yard. She attended Grace Fellowship Church and was starting to get involved in the community before her health declined. Throughout her life she enjoyed cooking, sewing and spending time with the many cats and dogs she would take in. She was an incredibly giving person. She would give to anyone in need or just give to bless someone. The following are special friends that were dear to her throughout her life; Jo and Tommy Butler, Dixie Lie, Lexie and Rick Hodnett and La Jean Rousset.

Special thanks goes out to Dr. McKinnon, Loretta and all the incredible people at North Runnels Clinic; the amazing nurses and staff at North Runnels Hospital; Maria, Amanda and Sam (North Runnels Home Health); Jennifer and Lisa (Interim Hospice); and last, but not least to Kelly Burelsmith, who was a special friend and caregiver to DeDe.

The family request that memorials be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 12672 Silicon Drive, Suite 105, San Antonio, TX 78249.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, February 25, 2016 at Grace Fellowship Church in Ballinger.