Bertha Rebecca Kinder's Obituary
Bertha Rebecca Kinder (nee Jones) was born on January 10, 1911 in Jonestown, Maryland, daughter of the late Reverend Ralph Wood Jones and Nora Sharp Jones. She departed this life on March 27, 2008 at The Pines Nursing Home in Easton, Maryland at the age of 97.
Bertha attended Jonestown School. As was common in those days, she left school early to help support her family both before and during the Depression. She began work in 1942 in the garment industry during World War II with her sister Elsie Frazier and brother-in-law James Frazier. She was later joined by her nephew’s wife Elmira Collins in the late 1950s. For many years she was as an Examiner in the Shipping Department of Hurlock Sportswear. She retired in 1983.
She was joined in marriage James Prattis and was a supportive wife until his death after an extended illness. She later married Isaac “Booker T.” Kinder and nursed him through his sickness until his death in 1981.
She was a faithful member of Coppins A.M.E. Church for her entire life. She was just one year old when it was founded and her father, along with the other Trustees, laid the cornerstone on July 28, 1912. Bertha served for many years as a Stewardess and Missionary.
Bertha Kinder received numerous awards during her lifetime. She, along with other members of Coppins A.M.E. Church, was honored at an Appreciation Banquet in 1997. In 1999, she received the Caroline County Government Citizenship Award as well as a Certificate of Appreciation for 25 years of dedicated service to the Baltimore Conference Branch Women’s Missionary Society. She was acknowledged by the Baltimore Conference Women’s Missionary Society as one of the “Baltimore Conference’s Nonagenarians: Some of God’s Chosen Vessels” in 2005. Her commendation was signed by Sheila Dixon, then President of the City Council, now Mayor of Baltimore City. In the same year, she received a Governor’s Citation from then Governor Robert Ehrlich in appreciation of her outstanding services to the citizens of this state.
To the residents of Jonestown, she was a matriarch of the community. She was known by friends and family alike as “Mother to us all.” Compassionate and caring, stylish and spirited, she was an exceptionally good listener, sister and friend. Her home was both a sanctuary and a place to kick back and have fun. A fond memory was raising money for the church through contests, often where she would cook soul food dinners. In later years she was known for her cold oven cake, her egg nog, relish and canned goods. She had a great love and respect for the earth, and expertise in growing tomatoes, peppers, okra, and anything that grew on the vine. She also grew beautiful flowers, especially azaleas, tulips and roses. She often had special barbecues and crab feasts for her nieces and nephews. You could often find her in her favorite seat, ready to listen and give advice. She will be greatly missed.
She came from a family of twelve children. Six siblings died at a very early age. Her sister, Sarah Collins, and her brother, Ralph Jenkins Jones, also preceded her in death. She leaves to mourn her sisters, Dorothy Burns, Elsie Frazier and Rosetta Johns, all of Jonestown, and her sister-in-law Catherine Jones, formerly of Jonestown. Also, her goddaughter, Tonya Davis Nora of Gaithersburg, and her namesakes, Rebecca Johns Hackett and Rebekah Patricia Hackett of Baltimore. In addition, Marshall Collins, Charmaine Geeter, Robert Burns, Lenora Horne, Beverly O’Neal, Marvin Frazier, Shirlee Washington, Barbara Ann Pinder, Valerie Chase, Diane Nichols, Ralph Jones, Jr., Rodney Jones, Beverly Webster, Joanna Preston, Patricia Johns King (deceased), Darlene Sturdivant, Roy E. Johns, Don Johns, Rebecca Johns Hackett, Melody Johns, Steven Johns, Arville Johns and Darron Johns, dear friend Sheena Friend, and a host of great-nieces and great-nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 3, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at Coppins A.M.E. Church in Jonestown with Rev. Randolph Fitchett, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow at the church cemetery. Friends may call at the church from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
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