Ms. Bertha Mae Whitley was born on July 15, 1940, in Lauderdale County, Tennessee, to the late Walter and Annie Noel Adams Sr. She passed away at Covenant HealthCare Cooper, surrounded by family, on Good Friday, April 15, 2022, in Saginaw, Michigan, due to a sudden illness.
Bertha loved her family dearly and truly enjoyed being around her grandchildren. She was employed at an automotive plant in Elyria, Ohio prior to relocating to Saginaw. Her hobbies included cooking (she made the best Chicken & Dumplings!) listening to music and watching old westerns like Walker Texas Ranger, and Family Feud. Bertha was a longtime member of Mt. Nebo Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Audrian King. She served with the Usher Board for many years. Bertha will be missed by family and friends who loved her dearly.
Bertha leaves to cherish precious memories two daughters, Elaine Bowen (Donald Pippins), and Shellie (Charles) Tullos, special son-in-law; one daughter-in-law, Margaret Whitley; sixteen grandchildren, LaCiesha Clark, Kanya (Bruce) Moultrie, Chazetta Whitley, Tyrone Jr. (Sylvia) Whitley, Charles (Courtney) Tullos, Dominique Bowen, James and Lamar Oates, Chariclea Tullos, Mary Whitley, Alexis (Robert) Liddell, Mario, Felicia, Chris, Christopher, and Gabby Whitley; twenty-seven great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; three sisters, Lettie Donald, Annie Adams, and Pauline Beard; one brother, Clarence Adams; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends; special friends, Sandra Whitley, Marylin Bracey, and Rosa Sutton.
Bertha was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Annie Noel Adams Sr.; loving sons, Jerry Lee Whitley, and Dennis Whitley; great-grandchildren, Nasir and Kanye Parker; her devoted companion, Leo Bracey; brothers, Alonza, Elivingston, Walter Jr., and Larry Adams Sr.; sisters, Geraldine Porter, Gladys Baldon, and Sadie Whitley.
The family expresses special thanks to Covenant HealthCare, Great Lakes Rehab, DeVelma Gilyard, Pastor Willie R. Hill Jr. and the Mt. Nebo Baptist Church family for their support during our mother’s illness, Ivan E. Phillips and the staff of Paradise Funeral Chapel for their services during our time of bereavement. Bless you from the love of her lovely daughters, Elaine Bowen and Shellie Tullos.
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