Bertha Reed

Bertha Gertrude Reed, the second of twelve children born to the union of the late Billy and Eliza (Weaver) Reed, was born August 4, 1916 in Macintosh, Alabama. Bertha was raised in the country and they did not have electricity or an automobile. They did their laundry outside by heating water on a fire and their house was a small shack that you could see through the cracks in the wall. At an early age, Bertha learned how to cook because of how large her family was. They walked everywhere, to church or to family member’s homes. The church that her family was a part of, Hillspring Pentecostal Church in Macintosh, Alabama, raised enough money to send Bertha to college in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. To help with her room and board tuition, Bertha cooked in the school kitchen. Her responsibility was to make the biscuits and she would always tell how she would make hundreds of them. On August 28, 1938, Bertha was united in marriage to the love of her life Albert P. Reed, or A.P. as everyone referred to him, in Citronelle, Alabama. They shared over 63 years of marriage together and were blessed with three daughters: Geraldine (Geri), Jackquelyn (Betty) and Idona (Idie). A.P. preceded her in death on January 19, 2004. A.P. and Bertha moved from Alabama to Phoenix, Arizona in 1953. There she worked at the Arizona Bag Company until she retired at the age of 62. She was an accomplished seamstress and even as a young woman would sew clothing for other people even without a pattern. After her retirement, Bertha and A.P. moved to Missouri where they built a little store and gas station and operated it for seven years. At that time, Bertha and A.P. returned to Phoenix and she again became employed at the Arizona Bag Company until she retired again at the age of 75. Bertha and A.P. were snowbirds and spent their summers with their daughter Geri and her family in Missouri and the winters with their daughters Idie and Betty in Arizona until A.P. passed away. After A.P.’s passing, Bertha lived in Missouri full time but still took vacations whenever she was able. When she was not traveling, Bertha enjoyed being outdoors whether it was fishing, gardening, blackberry picking or mushroom hunting. Did we mention fishing? Bertha went home to be with her Lord at 4:20 P.M. Wednesday, September 16, 2009 in her home surrounded by her loving family. Bertha will be sadly missed, but fondly remembered by three daughters: Geri Ray and her husband James Ray of Richland, MO, Jackquelyn (Betty) Williamson and her fiancé Carl Elshoff of Kingman, AZ and Idona (Idie) Whitaker of Phoenix, AZ; 8 grandchildren: Tammi Ferkel and her husband Chris of Richland, MO, Dennis Ray and his wife Stacey of Buckhorn, MO, Doyle Ray and his wife Paula of Richland, MO, Lea Snellen and her husband John of Lake Ozark, MO, Michelle Kelley and her husband Jack of Richland, MO, Chance Ray and his wife Sandy of Marshfield, MO, Val Pressley and her husband Rob of Belmont, N.C. and Wayne Wheatley of Phoenix, AZ; 11 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; three siblings: Chuck Reed of Phoenix, AZ; Frank Reed and Carlis Taylor, both of the state of Alabama; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents and her husband, Bertha was preceded in death by eight siblings. Memorial services were held at 2:00 P.M., Sunday, September 27, 2009 at Eureka Baptist Church of Richland with Rev. Doug Jacobson officiating. Speakers Doyle Ray, Tammi Ferkel and Valarie Pressley shared fond memories of their beloved grandmother. Special music selections included “Blessed Hope” and selections by Chance Ray. Arrangements were under the direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Richland. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Bertha Reed and may be left at the Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Richland. Online condolences may be left at www.memorialchapelsandcrematory.com

Bertha Reed

August 4, 1916 - September 16, 2009