Death of Bertha Oates Gilchrist, former missionary in Paraguay
It is with much sorrow that Global Ministries announces the passing of former missionary to Paraguay, Bertha Oates Gilchrist, 93, on March 9, 2006, at the Robin Run Retirement Village in Indianapolis, Indiana.
It is with much sorrow that Global Ministries announces the passing of former missionary to Paraguay, Bertha Oates Gilchrist, 93, on March 9, 2006, at the Robin Run Retirement Village in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Mrs. Gilchrist was born in Decatur, Illinois on May 12, 1912. Her family later moved to Taylorville, Illinois. She attended Illinois State Teacher’s College and later Colorado State College of Education where she obtained a B.S. degree. Additional studies were undertaken at Vanderbilt Graduate School and School of Religion. She taught Junior High School in Taylorville prior to going into the mission field.
Bertha and her husband, M. Frisco Gilchrist, served through the Division of Overseas Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) as missionaries in Paraguay for 24 years, from 1952 to 1976. Mrs. Gilchrist was a faculty member and head of the English Department of Colegio Internacional, a Disciples institution, which included all grades through high school. She also helped to start and organize the school library, which is now one of the best in the country. In addition to her work at Colegio Internacional, Mrs. Gilchrist served as the temporary administrator of Friendship Mission, a Disciples multi-service center, during the furlough of the regular administration, and served for three years as the director of a private primary and secondary school in Asunción.
Upon returning from Paraguay in 1976, Bertha and Frisco continued to advocate for human rights and peace throughout all Latin America.
Immediate surviving relatives of Mrs. Gilchrist are her husband, M. Frisco Gilchrist, in Indianapolis, Indiana, and their adoptive sons, Evaristo Rojas and Bacilides Martinez, residing in Paraguay.
There will be a Memorial Service to celebrate the life and ministry of Bertha on Saturday March 18, 3:00 p.m., at University Park Christian Church, 4550 North Illinois Street, Indianapolis, IN.
Global Ministries thanks God for Bertha’s example of a life dedicated to serving in the overseas mission of the Church, and for her passion and commitment to seeking justice for all. Messages of condolences may be sent to her husband, Frisco Gilchrist at 5354 West 62nd Street, Indianapolis, 46268.