Bertha Thomas Obituary

Bertha "Bert" Lee Thomas Summerville - Bertha Lee Walling Thomas departed this earth for her heavenly home September 16, 2018, where she joined her husband, James G. Thomas, Jr., and her daughter, Sandra Marie Thomas Owen. Bertha was born to George Lucius Wilson Walling, Sr., and Mary Magdalene Kemmerlin Walling May 9, 1919 on a farm in Lone Star, SC. She was the last of nine children. Bertha led a humble life, filled with stories about adventures of growing up in the country during the early 1900s. She cooked, sewed, milked cows, fed chickens, hoed the fields, and did whatever was needed. She received primary and secondary education in Cameron, SC. Bert, the name she preferred, met her future husband here and moved to Bamberg, SC after marriage. Prior to World War II, she and her husband moved to Charleston, SC area where she remained and raised her three children. Her will, determination and faith made her a strong, yet loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. She remained devoted to the Baptist Church in Charleston and Summerville. During her young life, she dreamed of playing the organ. So she taught herself and played in churches throughout the Lowcountry. For many years, she and her husband pleased many congregations by fulling request for their famous fish fries. Bert was fabulous in the kitchen, excelling in the southern cuisine and baking. Known for her pecan pie and cookies, family, friends, and doctors alike all looked forward to a Christmas "gift" from Bert. Her Seven Layer Casserole was featured in Charleston Receipts in the 1960's. She tackled hardships with courage and grace without complaint. She celebrated life's wonderful moments with a heart full of joy and love. As part of the greatest generation, she maintained the home front while her husband went off to war. Married in 1940, she and her husband celebrated their 68th anniversary before his passing in 2009. She's always been a country girl at heart with undying affection for her family and selfless service to her family, community and her faith. At the end she did not fear death but embraced it thankful for a long and fruitful life. She is a member of Summerville Baptist church and has been since the early 1960's. Ms. Thomas is survived by her daughter, Patricia Thomas Harmon of Summerville, son, James G. Thomas, III (Shirley) of Mt. Pleasant, and grandchildren Carl Harmon of Summerville, James Thomas Harmon (Shannon) of Summerville, Debbie Strickland (Chris) of Richmond, VA, Amy Terry (Brian) of Charleston, Julie Mooney of Columbia, SC, Lauren Lee (Mac) of South Mill, NC, Bruce Owen (Angie) of Franklin, TN, Wayne Owen (Susan) of Franklin, TN, 21 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren. Family and friends are invited to attend her visitation on Saturday, September 22, 2018 from 12 o'clock until hour of service at James A. Dyal Funeral Home. Funeral service will begin at 1:30 PM. Burial will follow at Live Oak Memorial Gardens, 3093 Ashley River Rd., Charleston, SC 29414. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to American Heart Association - Lowcountry, 174 East Bay Street, #300, Charleston, SC 29401 or Alzheimer's Association, 2090 Executive Hall Rd., #130, Charleston, SC 29407. A memorial message may be written to the family by visiting our website at www.jamesadyal.com. ARRANGEMENTS BY JAMES A. DYAL FUNERAL HOME, 303 SOUTH MAIN STREET, SUMMERVILLE, SC 29483 (843)873-4040. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston