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Bertha Collins, age 76, of Paterson, New Jersey passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 4, 2018 in the presence of her loving and caring daughters.
Bertha was born on August 1, 1942 in Havana, Alabama to the late Levie Gray and Electra (Bessie) Blackburn. She loved her parents and would often quote her dad. She spent most of her primary years in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where she was educated in the Tuscaloosa Public School System until relocating to Paterson in the early 1950’s. She attended Paterson Public School #10 and continued on to received her diploma from Central High School in Paterson, now known as Eastside High School. Immediately following her graduation from high school, Bertha attended Nursing School at St Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson.
Bertha married and from that union two daughters were born, Yvonne (Fay) and Charlene. “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.” (Psalm 127:3). Paterson would remain her home for the rest of her life and it is where she raised her two daughters. Bertha’s greatest love was her daughters, and nothing meant more to her than protecting them and providing for them. Most people may not have known their names, but they easily recognized their faces and would often say, “Hello Bertha’s daughters”.
During difficult and challenging times, it was Bertha's faith in God that sustained her. No matter what position Bertha held, or where she was employed, she always applied the outstanding work ethic she had. This was something that she would instill in her daughters. Bertha began her final assignment of service at the Paterson Public School System, where should would have the greatest impact and be remembered by many. Bertha spent most of those years at Eastside High School. Bertha loved the students at Eastside High School and when she wasn’t in the kitchen serving food; she was on the perimeter of the building supervising the Security Staff.
Upon retirement from Eastside High School, Bertha loved spending time with her “Grands”. “Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged” (Proverbs 17:6). They kept her entertained and affectionately referred to her as “Granny”. Her “Grands” knew Granny always had plenty of food and sarcasm ready for them daily. They knew Granny always had their back and she was their chosen spokesperson and most valued “verbalist” when there was conflict. She was an outspoken woman and you always knew where you stood with her because she wouldn’t hesitate to share her thoughts, and she often used “colorful language” to get her point across; she definitely was not afraid to let the “expletives fly.” Her colloquialisms were always crafty, clever and memorable. She mastered the art of talking about you directly to your face without you feeling insulted. Her “Grands” would often say, “Granny is too funny and needs her own show”. They would spend hours just sitting in her bedroom or around the dining room table, talking and laughing with her.
Bertha loved to watch Law and Order and she was a huge New York Knicks fan. She and her dear friend Ronnie loudly cheered the Knicks on. It didn’t matter if they were at Madison Square Garden or watching the Knicks on TV, the emotions were the same.
Bertha loved to gamble. Years ago, she was easily located alongside her best friend Quelene at a weekly card game, talking trash or in a bingo hall giving the caller the business for calling the numbers too slow. She often took bus rides to Atlantic City where she would try to conquer the “One Armed Bandits”, as she frequently referred to the slot machines. In recent years, her daughter would drive her to Empire Casino and Mount Airy Casino when her desire to feed the slot machines re-surfaced. Bertha was very lucky at the casinos and lottery tickets. It was quite common for her to say this winning box ticket is for you Fay, this winning box ticket is for you Charlene and I am going to keep this straight one for myself. Her luck with scratch-offs and request for them never ceased.
Bertha was a proud Alabama woman and she loved Tuscaloosa. Upon retirement, she enjoyed traveling to Alabama to spend time with her siblings and during those visits there were always trips to the Casino in Mississippi. She loved all her siblings and would often talk about their younger years together, growing up in Tuscaloosa.
Bertha enjoyed good people and was happiest when serving others. She was a member of the Eastern Star Lady Alethia of Paterson, NJ. It was no secret Bertha was an outstanding cook. She enjoyed watching people delight in her cooking and she offered food to everyone. She was well known throughout her neighborhood and many of the people affectionately referred to her as “Mama.” Bertha could always be found sitting out on the front porch of her family home. Bertha loved being out on her porch interacting with the people, and friends would frequently visit to say hello. She spent so much time out on her front porch that she could be seen by one of the Google Earth Photos of her home.
Bertha was a generous, kind-hearted and lovable person and cared greatly for her family and friends; people in general. Her greatest passion was for her family. She was an extremely devoted mother and a wonderfully cherished “Granny.” Bertha touched the lives of countless people and will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew her. When Bertha heard the voice of God gently call her on Saturday, August 4, 2018, she didn't hesitate to respond. She left peacefully knowing that she had completed her earthly tasks. “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2)
Her story does not end there, for she is rejoicing in heaven and watching over her family and loved ones. She leaves to cherish her memory two daughters; Yvonne Jackson and Charlene Collins; a son-in-law Orlando Jackson of Paterson, two brothers; Robert Gray of Alabama, and George Gray of South Carolina, four sisters; Theola Merriweather of Toledo, OH, Velma Ibik, Ola Mae Scott, Brenda Dunn and Celia Mae Scott of Alabama, four grandchildren; Raven Skye Jackson, Destin Star Jackson, Orlando Lamar Jackson, Jr, and Autumn Storm Jackson. Remembering her smile are her three God-daughters; Denise Briggs of Rock Hill, SC, Latoya Harrison and Kashona Harrison of Paterson, NJ; one God-son Jamel Briggs of DE. She leaves a host of cousins, nieces and nephews with whom she shared a special bond of love; a life-long friend; Anabelle Briggs of Rock Hill, SC and her dear close family friend Ronnie Williams of Pheonix City, AL and Errol Bryan of East Orange, NJ.
Welcoming her into Heaven is her parents, her best friend Quelene Albert, her sisters Iola Scott and Annie Hedgeman-Gibson; a brother Ronnie Gray.
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Funeral services will be held privately.
August 4, 2018
Services
Funeral services will be held privately.
Bertha Collins, age 76, of Paterson, New Jersey passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 4, 2018 in the presence of her loving and caring daughters.
Bertha was born on August 1, 1942 in Havana, Alabama to the late Levie Gray and Electra (Bessie) Blackburn. She loved her parents and would often quote her dad. She spent most of her primary years in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where she was educated in the Tuscaloosa Public School System until relocating to Paterson in the early 1950’s. She attended Paterson Public School #10 and continued on to received her diploma from Central High School in Paterson, now known as Eastside High School. Immediately following her graduation from high school, Bertha attended Nursing School at St Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson.
Bertha married and from that union two daughters were born, Yvonne (Fay) and Charlene. “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.” (Psalm 127:3). Paterson would remain her home for the rest of her life and it is where she raised her two daughters. Bertha’s greatest love was her daughters, and nothing meant more to her than protecting them and providing for them. Most people may not have known their names, but they easily recognized their faces and would often say, “Hello Bertha’s daughters”.
During difficult and challenging times, it was Bertha's faith in God that sustained her. No matter what position Bertha held, or where she was employed, she always applied the outstanding work ethic she had. This was something that she would instill in her daughters. Bertha began her final assignment of service at the Paterson Public School System, where should would have the greatest impact and be remembered by many. Bertha spent most of those years at Eastside High School. Bertha loved the students at Eastside High School and when she wasn’t in the kitchen serving food; she was on the perimeter of the building supervising the Security Staff.
Upon retirement from Eastside High School, Bertha loved spending time with her “Grands”. “Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged” (Proverbs 17:6). They kept her entertained and affectionately referred to her as “Granny”. Her “Grands” knew Granny always had plenty of food and sarcasm ready for them daily. They knew Granny always had their back and she was their chosen spokesperson and most valued “verbalist” when there was conflict. She was an outspoken woman and you always knew where you stood with her because she wouldn’t hesitate to share her thoughts, and she often used “colorful language” to get her point across; she definitely was not afraid to let the “expletives fly.” Her colloquialisms were always crafty, clever and memorable. She mastered the art of talking about you directly to your face without you feeling insulted. Her “Grands” would often say, “Granny is too funny and needs her own show”. They would spend hours just sitting in her bedroom or around the dining room table, talking and laughing with her.
Bertha loved to watch Law and Order and she was a huge New York Knicks fan. She and her dear friend Ronnie loudly cheered the Knicks on. It didn’t matter if they were at Madison Square Garden or watching the Knicks on TV, the emotions were the same.
Bertha loved to gamble. Years ago, she was easily located alongside her best friend Quelene at a weekly card game, talking trash or in a bingo hall giving the caller the business for calling the numbers too slow. She often took bus rides to Atlantic City where she would try to conquer the “One Armed Bandits”, as she frequently referred to the slot machines. In recent years, her daughter would drive her to Empire Casino and Mount Airy Casino when her desire to feed the slot machines re-surfaced. Bertha was very lucky at the casinos and lottery tickets. It was quite common for her to say this winning box ticket is for you Fay, this winning box ticket is for you Charlene and I am going to keep this straight one for myself. Her luck with scratch-offs and request for them never ceased.
Bertha was a proud Alabama woman and she loved Tuscaloosa. Upon retirement, she enjoyed traveling to Alabama to spend time with her siblings and during those visits there were always trips to the Casino in Mississippi. She loved all her siblings and would often talk about their younger years together, growing up in Tuscaloosa.
Bertha enjoyed good people and was happiest when serving others. She was a member of the Eastern Star Lady Alethia of Paterson, NJ. It was no secret Bertha was an outstanding cook. She enjoyed watching people delight in her cooking and she offered food to everyone. She was well known throughout her neighborhood and many of the people affectionately referred to her as “Mama.” Bertha could always be found sitting out on the front porch of her family home. Bertha loved being out on her porch interacting with the people, and friends would frequently visit to say hello. She spent so much time out on her front porch that she could be seen by one of the Google Earth Photos of her home.
Bertha was a generous, kind-hearted and lovable person and cared greatly for her family and friends; people in general. Her greatest passion was for her family. She was an extremely devoted mother and a wonderfully cherished “Granny.” Bertha touched the lives of countless people and will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew her. When Bertha heard the voice of God gently call her on Saturday, August 4, 2018, she didn't hesitate to respond. She left peacefully knowing that she had completed her earthly tasks. “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2)
Her story does not end there, for she is rejoicing in heaven and watching over her family and loved ones. She leaves to cherish her memory two daughters; Yvonne Jackson and Charlene Collins; a son-in-law Orlando Jackson of Paterson, two brothers; Robert Gray of Alabama, and George Gray of South Carolina, four sisters; Theola Merriweather of Toledo, OH, Velma Ibik, Ola Mae Scott, Brenda Dunn and Celia Mae Scott of Alabama, four grandchildren; Raven Skye Jackson, Destin Star Jackson, Orlando Lamar Jackson, Jr, and Autumn Storm Jackson. Remembering her smile are her three God-daughters; Denise Briggs of Rock Hill, SC, Latoya Harrison and Kashona Harrison of Paterson, NJ; one God-son Jamel Briggs of DE. She leaves a host of cousins, nieces and nephews with whom she shared a special bond of love; a life-long friend; Anabelle Briggs of Rock Hill, SC and her dear close family friend Ronnie Williams of Pheonix City, AL and Errol Bryan of East Orange, NJ.
Welcoming her into Heaven is her parents, her best friend Quelene Albert, her sisters Iola Scott and Annie Hedgeman-Gibson; a brother Ronnie Gray.
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