Bertha Lee Farmer Matthews OBITUARY 9/16/09 Vivian LA BURIAL Ida LA
Bertha Lee Farmer Matthews Died September 16, 2009
at the age of 95 Daughter of the late Grover Tilton Farmer and Bessie Mae Keel Farmer of Ida, LA
Widow of the late Albert David ("Jack") Matthews of Shreveport, LA
Survived by one daughter, Regina O. Matthews of New Orleans, LA SHREVEPORT, LA - Bertha Lee grew up in Ida and, with the exception of a brief stay in New Orleans from 2000 until 2005, lived her entire life in Caddo Parish. She graduated from Ida High School in 1933 and worked in Shreveport for several years prior to World War II. During the War, she worked for a time at a munitions plant in Minden before returning to Shreveport, where she resumed working at H.L. Green's Five & Dime until she met and married Jack Matthews in 1946. Her only child, a daughter, Regina, was born in 1948.
Bertha Lee was a member of the Ingleside Baptist Church in Shreveport, where she was active in Sunday school and as a parent sponsor of the various events in which her daughter participated. She was an excellent cook and a much sought-after room mother, band sponsor, and event helper. After her husband died in 1978, Bertha Lee moved to Vivian in 1980 and joined the First Baptist Church, where she remained a member until her death. In addition to Sunday school, she was a member of the Heaven Bound Singers and greatly enjoyed the weekly practices, potluck lunches, ice cream socials, and trips with the choir to sing at festivals, hospitals and other churches.
After Hurricane Katrina forced her evacuation, Bertha Lee returned to Vivian, where she remained until June 2008, when she moved to the Kingsley Place Assisted Living Center in Shreveport. In August 2009, she moved to Vivian Healthcare, where she lived until her death.
Graveside services will be held on Sunday, September 20, 2009, at 2:00 p.m. at Bethsaida Cemetery, Ida, LA, the Reverend Richard Beeman officiating. There will be no visitation. Kindly omit flowers. Memorial contributions preferred to the First Baptist Church, 311 North Pine St., Vivian, LA 71082, to benefit the Heaven Bound Singers, or to a charity of your choice. Rose-Neath Funeral Home
Vivian, LA 318.375.3011
Published in Shreveport Times from September 19 to September 20, 2009
NOTE: This is how the obituary appeared in the paper.