Ms. Bertha Mae Stegall-Simmons

May 29, 1923 - December 10, 2016

Mrs. Bertha Stegall Simmons went home to be with the Lord on December 10, 2016 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She was born May 29, 1923 the daughter of Lula and Fayette Stegall in Corinth, MS. She accepted Christ as her Savior a an early age. She attended St. Rest School in Selma, TN. She met James Simmons and they married in 1943. She later left Tennessee in 1951 to relocate to Muskegon, MI and moved permanently to Kalamazoo, MI shortly after. Bertha worked in many homes doing domestic services/cleaning. She later became employed in the Dietary Food Services Department at Western Michigan University. She later went on to retire from Peter Eckrich after many years of service. She was a faithful member of the Church of the Living God in Battle Creek, MI, the Pillar and Ground of Truth, serving as a Missionary for many years. She enjoyed the outdoors and loved gardening and landscaping. She also loved reading her Bible daily. She had a generous and giving spirit about her, and was known to give to numerous non-profit agencies. Her favorite T.V. shows included country western movies, National Geographic and religious/church programs. She was known as a serious and direct woman, who also had a kind and gently spirit about her. Bertha was an adventurous and a very special lady, who touched the hearts and lives of many. She will be greatly missed by all. She is preceded in death by her parents, Lula and Fayette Stegall, Sr.; her siblings: David, Myra, Harron and Benjamin; and son-in-law, Otis Murray. She leaves to cherish her memories: her daughters. Christine Simmons and Llillie Murray; 3 sons, William Patrick Burns (Clara); Samuel Simmons (Vivian) and Randolph Simmons; siblings, Elijah Stegall, Harold Stegall, Jeanette Polite; Gentrall Stegall and Fayette Stegall, Jr. ; grandchildren: Brandon Simmons, Sean Simmons and Heather Caper, Troy A. Murray, Otis Murray III, Malorie Banks, Angela Simmons, Marcus Camptbell, LaShonda Steele, Shaun Steele, Pershell Walker the late William L. Burns and Nicole Burns; great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and great-great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Also, a special nephew, Halbert Stegall and a special “daughter-in-love”, Mary Burns.