Martha “Kate” Bell Gerbitz
Martha “Kate” Bell Gerbitz died surrounded by her family on January 3, 2024, at the age of 78, in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Born on February 1, 1945 in Edmonton, Ky., to Mary Martha Hill Bell and Robert Fulton Bell, Kate was the youngest of four children. She graduated from Metcalfe County High School in 1962 and then from David Lipscomb College in 1966 where she was selected “Miss Lipscomb,” the highest honor for a senior female. In college, she met her husband of 57 years, Gary Daniel Gerbitz. After they married, Kate and Gary lived in Knoxville where Kate taught school and Gary attended law school. They moved to Edmonton, where their first daughter, Leah Marie Gerbitz, was born in 1969. They moved to Chattanooga where their second daughter, Leslie June Gerbitz Sharpe, was born in 1970. Kate had a lengthy teaching career in various schools, including J.B. Brown Middle School, Central High School, Boyd Buchanan School, and Girls Preparatory School. Kate’s intellect and teaching skills were so versatile that she taught both high school English and Mathematics during her career. Taking versatility to further heights, Kate also coached tennis and track. Her greatest skill as a teacher was reaching the not-so-perfect students, showing them how to understand tricky concepts and feel confident in themselves.
Throughout her life, Kate was an exceptional athlete. She tore through the competition of many local road races in the 1970s and 80s including the Chattanooga Chase. To see her on the tennis court was to get a glimpse of the game as it should be played — beautifully, tirelessly. She could return shots for hours on end. She developed a deep love for golf later in life, hitting 9 career holes-in-ones. In recent years, she jumped on the pickle ball bandwagon with the same joyful determination and uncanny skill as all her other endeavors.
Kate was extremely well read, and she wrote with a uniquely lyrical and poetic voice. She was a naturally talented cook who instinctively knew how to make delicious food without a recipe. She was a skilled seamstress, and a beautiful home decorator.
She was already always more than most of us could dream of being, yet her greatest passion was for being a deeply loving wife, mother and grandmother. Her grandchildren called her “Mamba,” a unique name that, to her family, became synonymous with her tenacious, all-encompassing and ever-present love and attention.
Each member of Kate’s vast network of friends was a cherished source of love and support to her. She never forgot, and she never quit loving each person in her life. Kate’s faith and love of God shone clearly through her love for all His people.
Kate is survived by her husband Gary, daughters Leah and Leslie, son-in-law Robert Randall Sharpe, grandchildren Emeline Marie Sharpe, Grady Daniel Sharpe, Kate Bell Becksvoort and Jane Adele Becksvoort (all of Chattanooga), sister, Mary Alice Bell Yokley (Huntsville AL), sisters-in law Gay Doreen Gerbitz Gould (Chris) (Seal Beach CA), and Gloria Dawn Gerbitz VanNote (Benno)(Chattanooga).
Kate was predeceased by her parents Martha and Robert Bell, brother John Fulton Bell (Shirley) (all of Edmonton KY) and sister Roberta Frances Bell Temple (John) (Milton FL), brother in law Leroy Mark Yokley (Edmonton KY) and niece Martha Lee Temple Todd (Milton FL) and her parents-in-law, June Adele Wilder Gerbitz and Edward Joseph Gerbitz (Sarasota FL).
She also leaves nieces and nephews: Teresa Kindred (Bill), Michael Temple (Renee), Mark Yokley (Lisa), Robert Bell (Kelly), Russell Yokley (Talitha), Ed Temple (Susie), Daniel Yokley (Lori), Chad Rikard, Cory Rikard, Courtney Holcombe (Doug) and Brent Waitneight and their children.
A memorial service will be held at First Christian Church of Chattanooga on January 10, 2024 at 2:00 with visitation and celebration of life to follow at the Chattanooga Golf and Country Club from 3:00 to 5:00.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to CHI Memorial Foundation to honor the care provided by the staff in the Oncology Unit: www.memorial.org/foundation or to a charity of your choice.
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory, and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com