Obituary

Mrs. Gracie Hagans Gutmanis, 96, a native of Palatka, Florida the daughter of Oliver Hagans and Emma Sykes, was born on Monday, April 4, 1927. She was educated in the Putnam County School System. She was a former member of Mt. Zion Primitive Baptist Church where she was baptized at an early age.

She was employed as a Farm Worker in her early years. As the seasons changed, so did Gracie, choosing a new career path as a Domestic Worker, Nurse Assistant. Due to her caring personality and compassion towards others, she was loved by the families that employed her. She lived in New York for many years; in 1979 she married Andrejs Gutmanis in Bayside, New York, and was a loving wife until his demise in 2001. She then moved back to her hometown, Palatka, Florida. Upon Gracie return she touched many lives with wisdom and love. Her generosity earned her the Unsung Heroes Award from the Bland Community Families, Inc. of Alachua, Florida.

Gracie loved decorating for Christmas, which was her favorite holiday. She believed that everyone should participate in decorating for this holiday, even if it was just one light in the window. In December 2012 she received the Putnam Pride Award for her Christmas display in her yard. Her hobbies were word searches, jigsaw puzzles, playing a hand held game and she was an avid gardener.

Gracie was preceded in death by her husband Andrejs, parents Oliver and Emma Hagans, siblings Robert, Lucille, and Wilvern (Pig), several friends and cousins.

Gracie Hagans Gutmanis will be greatly missed by her four children, Graceda (Philip) Apagya, Greensboro GA; Gwen Holcy, El Paso, TX, Verdell (Pauline) Hill, Hyannis, MA, Oliver Brown, Palatka, FL; 9 Grandchildren; 31 Great Grandchildren; 3 Great Great Grandchildren; A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Gracie Hagans Gutmanis answered her heavenly call on Thursday, July 20, 2023 at her residence surrounded by her loving family.

The family of Gracie Hagans Gutmanis would like to give a special thanks to Community Hospice Staff and Crisis Care Team, New Life Christian Outreach Center, Pastor James Kilgore, Eatonton, GA, House of Prayer COGIC, Pastor Leroy Jones, El Paso, TX.