Bertha passed away peacefully at home and entered into God’s kingdom on 8/28/23.

She was born on September 27, 1929 in the small town of Folkston Georgia to the late Willie Mose and Beulah Harris. In 1963 she moved to NJ in search of better employment opportunities to support herself and three daughters, Mary Alice McCray, late, Mozella Brown and Beulah Warren. She later adopted a son, Dan Swinton Jr.

In NJ she found a church home at a small church called Bethlehem Prayer House where she remained for many years until she relocated to Lakewood and found a new home in ITM More Than Conquerors Tabernacle, Lakewood, under Pastor, Thomas Simpson. There, she was active on the Pastor’s Aide Board, Usher board and various other positions that later evolved into perhaps, her most fitted role, as Mother of the church. She loved worshiping under Pastor and Lady Simpson. She affectionately called pastor son and he called her mother.

As she aged, she moved into her senior building, where she remained until she transitioned. There, she soon became the Super of the building, a position she took seriously. She loved the tenants and they loved her. Having recently retired, this gave her a sense of purpose and an opportunity to help others, which, she so loved to do. She also served double duty as a security guard through green thumb, a program that provided jobs to seniors. She was held in high regard by all, even long after she’d aged out of the position, and relinquished her keys. Everybody knew and loved Mama Bertha!

Bertha was a women of simple taste and true integrity. She would often say “right is right and wrong is wrong.” She had a saying for most everything; “what’s done in the dark comes out in the light” but most often she would say “what God can’t do, it can’t be done!”

Bertha was a women of order and her house was always just so. She had decorating skills that could turn a shack into a palace. She was also a great cook. OMG!!! Bertha’s fried chicken and fish was unmatched, as was her mac and cheese, homemade biscuits, cornbread, collard greens and tater salad (as she called it). And let’s not forget her famous peach cobbler! She loved to cook for her family, church and friends. She unabashedly loved to eat too, and would say so without hesitation.

She stressed that you go to school to learn and to work hard, whether it be with our studies or work. Her philosophy was “you always, always do your best.” She taught us Life Skills!! Budgeting, how to write checks, the importance of paying our bills on time and having good credit. The wisdom, information and guidance she shared is and will always be immeasurable. She was a teacher, a leader, and a boss.

A giver of time talents and possessions, you couldn’t leave her house without her giving you something. She loved to give!! Bertha had many gifts and talents that she generously shared with others. Recipes, decorating tips and most importantly guidance on how to build a relationship with God. She loved the Lord and stressed the importance of prayer and living right. To be honest and kind because you’d reap what you sow. Oh, and there would be no Blues playin in her house. Oh no, no, no!! Her prayers carried the family through many challenges and adversity as she was a Prayer Warrior!

Remember: “If God Can’t Do It, It Can’t Be done!”

Bertha leaves to cherish her memory her daughters, Mary McCray, Beulah Warren, husband John Warren and son, Dan Swinton Jr. Her siblings Freddie Harris, Viola Reid, Eugene Harris and wife Gwen Harris, Earl Harris and Johnny Harris and wife Marian Harris (known to mom as her china doll). Her grandchildren Eugene McCray, Pamela Walker Michelle Buntington, Ida McEntyre and Husband Duane McEntyre and a host of great grands and nieces and nephews and friends.