Bertha Burton Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

A WOMAN THAT FEARETH THE LORD Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Proverbs 31:30 On December 18, 1915, a virtuous woman, Bertha Burton, was born, to Willie Washington and Anna Belle Bannister in Charles County, Maryland. She was raised by her grandmother, Martha Bannister due to her mother’s death at an early age. Being an only child, Bertha was raised along with other siblings in Nanjemoy, Maryland, moved to Linwood, and later relocated to Twin Oaks, Pennsylvania where she grew up and attended Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church under the headship of Reverend Dency Richardson. As a young woman, Bertha and Willie Burton were married in 1949 by Reverend Richardson and parented six children in Chester, Pennsylvania. Bertha often provided food and provisions for the needy and summer block parties in her neighborhood. She was known for her fashionable dresses, suits and hats to match. But her true identity was “a child of God”. Her membership at Mt. Pleasant continued until her death. “Mom Burton” as she was known and loved by many will always be remembered for her legacy of ushering men and women into the house of God. For over six and a half decades she supported her Pastor and church in faithful attendance in the International Church Usher’s Association of Chester and vicinity where she remained an honorary usher until her death. She received numerous awards and certificates for her service as an usher throughout the years. She always took pride in “being a doorkeeper for the Lord”. While serving at the doors of Mt. Pleasant, she was known, as “the strutting usher”. Her favorite scriptures among many are found in Psalm 122:1, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.” and Psalm 84:10, “… I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.” Today, she is being honored by the International Church Usher’s Association of Chester. As God’s doorkeeper she faithfully experienced the growth and development of the vision and leadership of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. Mom Burton was known for her “fire and powerful testimonies” and love for people and her Pastor. She has been the oldest member who still tithed and sent offerings for the work of the ministry consistently. As a widow indeed, she gave herself to prayer and the memorization of scriptures. Even at 100, her ability to quote scripture was remarkable. In 2015, Bertha received a letter of recognition as a CENTENARIAN from the office of the White House under President Barak and First Lady Michelle Obama. She was preceded in death by her father Willie Washington, husband, Willie Burton, daughter, Lucille Paden, and two sons, Frank Burton and Charlie Washington, Sr. She leaves behind to carry on her legacy three children, Dorrine Jones (Harry), William Burton, Tarry Jennings, and 23 grandchildren, 58 great-grandchildren, 11 great, great-grandchildren and a host of spiritual sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, and friends. Mom Burton transitioned to glory on Sunday, December 9, 2018, and today, we celebrate and honor her life on what would have been her 103rd birthday. To a God-fearing woman, a great matriarch whose life will continue to live on through her seed and her seed’s seed for generations to come, we say, “Happy Eternal Birthday!” “Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” Proverbs 31:31

Bertha Burton

December 18, 1915 - December 9, 2018