Mrs. Bertha Mae Smith, 88, passed on to eternal rest on Dec. 7, 2019 at home in Norfolk, surrounded by family. She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Mr. Willie “Danny Boy” Smith, who passed away July 25, 2019.
Bertha was born in 1931 in Gum Neck, N.C., to Lyda Basnight Spencer and Lonnie Spencer. She was one of seven children Lonnie and Lyda raised in the rural, close-knit township where most families had acres of land and grew their own food and raised livestock for the family’s consumption.
Mama was a self-taught cook and baker, and excelled at many different dishes and baked goods. Her rolls, warm and buttery, were always in demand at family gatherings.
When she left North Carolina, Bertha moved to Norfolk, where she met and married Danny Boy.
She worked most of her life as a domestic, doing day’s work for several families in Norfolk. She was an excellent seamstress, and she loved flowers and gardening. Christmas was one of her favorite times of year, and she decorated the house with trees, lights, garland, figurines and more.
She was preceded in death by her parents; by a son, Marvin C. Cooper; and by her siblings: Oneller Roberts, Ollie Pearl Spencer, Delton Spencer, Solomon Spencer, Clinton Spencer, and Lessie Spencer, who died in childhood.
She leaves to cherish her memory her children: Sharon (Ronnie), LaVerne, Janice, Tammie, Willie Jr. (Sheila); daughter-in-law Marita; grandchildren Glenna, Travette, Summer, TeeCee, Colin, Wesley, Brittany, Brandy, Lauryn, Christopher; great-grandchildren Karita, Reggeon, Ariana, Anissa; a great-great-grandchild, Kannon; and special nieces and nephews Dennis, Robert, Katherine and Tenia.
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Lauryn B. says
December 9, 2019 at 7:15 pmLove you grandma! I’ll miss you a lot
thank you for everything you’ve done for me
Linda and Isaiah Butts says
December 10, 2019 at 10:31 pmYou will be missed
LaVerne Smith says
December 15, 2019 at 6:34 pmMama,
I love you. I miss you and daddy so much. Both of you are together again in heaven now. I thank God for choosing you to be my mother. Thank you for a legacy that I will pass on to my daughter. I’ll see you and daddy again one day.
Margo Bullock says
December 22, 2019 at 5:19 pmDear Smith Family,
I’m so sorry to hear about your mom and dad! It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you’ll but I have very fond memories of growing up on 31st St. This is a beautiful picture of your mom and she definitely matured gracefully. May the peace of God rest upon you ALL.