Bertha Ann Scott was born on December 29, 1959 in Lumpkin, Georgia to the union of Homer Scott and Jerlean Scott (Bell). Bertha confessed a hope in Christ at an early age and was baptized in the Holy Ghost at age 13. She dedicated her entire life to the Lord, faithfully serving others in as many ways as she could. As Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, whatever her hands found to do, she did it with all her might. At Greater New Bethel Temple Church, she served as a bus driver, church secretary, choir president, kitchen cook, Sunday School teacher for teens, and an usher. She did everything but preach from the pulpit! Make no mistake, her life did preach.

Bertha graduated from Stewart County High School in 1977. In 1978 she moved to East St. Louis Illinois and lived with her older sister, the late Evelyn Harris, and her brother-in-law, Willie Harris, while attending Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville (SIUE). During this time, she joined Greater New Bethel Temple Church and helped raise Evelyn's two daughters, her nieces, Karen and Kim. She called these girls her daughters and they loved her like their mother. She graduated from SIUE with a Bachelor's in Science degree and later added a Certificate in Organizational Studies from St. Louis University.

Bertha worked steadfastly for 27 years as a Patient Account Representative at St. Louis University before retiring from there. More recently, she thrived as an insurance agent for Banker's Life at the branch in Belleville, Illinois. An avid cook, she loved to feed her friends, family, and co-workers home-cooked (mostly southern) dishes, especially on holidays. Her house was filled with her singing and humming, as well as with plants she was gifted at growing. Laughter and astonishment often accompanied her fast wit and honesty, but she will mostly be remembered for her large generous heart, her unwillingness to complain in difficult times, and her inability to sit down.

Bertha departed this Life on January 11, 2021. She received a kidney transplant in 2017, and her family is grateful for the additional time together this may have afforded them. She was welcomed home by her parents, her sister, Evelyn Harris, her brother Sam Scott, and several other relatives and friends who preceded her in death.

Bertha leaves to cherish her loving memory her daughters Karen (Reginald) Birris and Kim (Edward) Washington; granddaughter Kylia Birris; goddaughters Labertha Patterson and Quinniecia Burrell; sister Verline Randall; brothers McArthur (Joyce) Scott and Gary (Anita) Scott; aunts Ruth Ball and Elizabeth Gaines; and special friend Earnest Beck. She also leaves behind several other nieces, nephews, cousins, good neighbors, and friends.