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Bertha Lewis Pearson Allen, 101 died peacefully at her home Friday morning, October 21.
A celebration of her life will be held 2:00 P.M., Monday, October 24, at Smith United Methodist Church, 1215 Smith Church Road, Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, with the Reverends Rochelle Bailey, and Roy Porter officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Bertha was born February 4, 1915, daughter of Luther Russell and Lillie Mae Chambliss Pearson in Triplet, Virginia. Her father was a supervisor with Camp Manufacturing Company thus her family moved several times during her childhood, but she called Triplet home. Their last move was to Roanoke Rapids where she attended Roanoke Rapids High School.
Bertha worked with the Halifax County Home Economics Extension Agent for several years in the 1930's.
She said she was told "working two years with Mrs. Wheeler was equivalent to a college education".
She supervised the government mattress project where county residents could make a mattress for one dollar. She traveled extensively over Halifax County with Mrs. Wheeler to meetings and consultations in area homes. She later served as treasurer of the Curb Market in Roanoke Rapids. Bertha was an accomplished seamstress, making dresses for many during her early years, and later working in alterations for David's Clothing Store in "downtown" Roanoke Rapids. She was a charter member of the South Rosemary Home Demonstration Club where she served in many positions. She was District Chairman for the Home Demonstration Club in the mid 1960's, attending the National Convention, held in Hawaii. This gave her the opportunity for her "first and last" plane trip.
Bertha married Joseph Edward Allen April 4, 1937. They lived in Edward's home place with his mother, brother and family for eight years, helping to care for his mother, Ida Pearson Allen. While living there, a son, Edward Timothy, was born August 28, 1942. Five years later, a daughter, Kaye Elizabeth, was born. Edward and his brother, Leonard Allen, farmed together, taking pride in their work. They were known in the community for their integrity and honest dealings and by the pristine condition of their fields. Bertha worked in the 'large' garden planted each year, sharing with family and friends. She was known for her "good cooking" but especially for her country ham and Brunswick stew.
Bertha, a member of Philadelphia United Methodist Church, Triplet, Virginia, joined her husband's home church, Smith United Methodist, where they were both very active, serving in numerous positions. During the 1940's, a meeting was held in their home to discuss the need for a church in the South Rosemary community. It was decided to canvas the community to determine if a church was desired and what denomination. As a result, South Rosemary Methodist Church was built. Prior to her death, Bertha was the oldest living member of Smith Church. Her declining health and subsequent illness prevented her from attending in later years but she enjoyed the visits of her church family.
In addition to her parents, Bertha was preceded in death by her husband of forty-five years, J. Edward Allen; her son, Edward T. (Timmie) Allen; Brothers, Jack Pearson, Aubrey Pearson, Russell Pearson and J. B. Pearson; Sisters, Dora Madison Davis, Ruby Leonard, Rosa Mae Gupton, and Ann Barnhill, and Tigger, her feline companion of twenty-two years.
She is survived by her daughter, Kaye Allen Rook, and husband, Dickie, of Winterville; her daughter-in-law, Janie Allen Wardsworth, and husband, Ray, of Roanoke Rapids; her sister, Dorothy P. Driskill of Chester, Virginia; her sister-in-law Mamie B. Pearson of Roanoke Rapids; four grandchildren: Sandra A. Clary and husband, Dean, of Gasburg, Virginia; Edward Timothy Allen, Jr. and wife, Tracy, of Roanoke Rapids; Amy Rook Perry and husband, Michael, of Grimesland, and Andy Rook and wife, Anna, of Holly Springs; four great grandchildren: Stephanie Dailey and husband, Duane, of Littleton, Timothy Hux of Leland, Caleb and Daniel Rook of Holly Springs; two great-great-grandchildren, Brock Blanford and Weston Dailey of Littleton. Bertha valued family and family ties and is survived and cherished by numerous nieces and nephews of several generations.
A special thank you to Dr. Jonathan Jack for his 'listening ear' and compassionate care over the years. Bertha has been cared for in her home for over nine years by her daughter, Kaye, her daughter-in-law, Janie, and her faithful caregivers, Beverly Norman, Bettie Lynch and Hattie Brown; shorter periods of time by Christine Revis, Gayle Smith and Dianna Lynch. Special thanks also to the staff of Community Home Health Hospice for their compassionate care during the past few years.
Memorials may be made to Smith United Methodist Church, 1215 Smith Church Road, Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, 27870; Philadelphia United Methodist Church, Gay Taylor, Treasurer, 14179 Dry Bread Road, Emporia, Virginia, 23847; or Camp Carefree, 275 Carefree Lane, Stokesdale, North Carolina, 27357.