Bertha Lee Black was born on May 11, 1941, the oldest of six children, to the late David and Velma Short in Brookhaven, Mississippi. She transitioned to her heavenly home on Monday, May 3, 2021 at McLaren Greater Lansing. She married Jay Lester Black at the age of 16, in 1957, and soon migrated to Lansing, Michigan. To this union of 64 years, Jay and Bertha had two daughters.

Known for her entrepreneurial spirit and creative skills, Bertha was a phenomenal cook, decorator, craftsperson and event planner, serving the Lansing community. Additionally, she and her husband co-owned a cleaning service and managed rental properties. Beyond her entrepreneurial endeavors, Bertha's professional career spanned many years, including dietitian aid for St. Lawrence Hospital, and school bus driver for Lansing School District, retiring in 1989. She received many accolades for her stellar performance including bus driver of the year and recognition for volunteer services for the school district.

Mother Black was saved and filled with the Holy Ghost in 1958 at Samaria Church of God in Christ, in Lansing, MI. In 1965, the family joined St. Paul Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Superintendent Perry Robinson. For nearly 50 years, Bertha served in many ministries such as benevolence, culinary, sick and shut-in, and she was a beautiful soloist known for her rendition of "Precious Lord" and "When You Hear of My Homegoing." Since 2014, Bertha was on the Mother's Board at Lansing Church of God in Christ, under the leadership of Bishop Samuel Duncan, Jr.

Bertha loved people, and in return she was loved by many. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were certainly no exception, she often called them "her medicine" and looked forward to their visits.

"Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all." -Proverbs 31:29

She was preceded in death by: her parents, David and Velma Short; brothers, David Short, and Roosevelt Brown; sister, Betty Jean Jackson; special aunt, Katie Ruth March; close cousins, Melverlena Ford, and Rose Martin; special goddaughter, Belinda Hester Brown; and very special friend, Clementine Jackson.

She leaves to cherish in her memory: her husband, Jay L. Black; daughters, Marcia (JoEl) Watson, and Rechelle Black of Lansing, MI; four grandchildren, Nyshell (Jonathan) Lawrence of Lansing, MI, Mariah Watson of Ann Arbor, MI, Andre' Smith II, and Rechelle (Matthew) Transeth of Lansing, MI; four great-grandchildren, Joelle, Olyvia, Emerson Jay and Imari; brother, Charles (Linda) Short; sister, Linda Kay (Wade) Hudson of Baton Rouge, LA; sister in-laws, Annie Bell (Willie) Campbell of Dewitt Township, MI, Lucille (Andrew) Chambliss of Union Springs, AL, Evalene Short of Lansing, MI; brother in-laws, Matthew Black of Leslie, MI, and Robert (Mary) Black of Lansing, MI; special niece, Terrisa (Ricky) Bradley of Lansing, MI; close cousin, Emma (Sherman) Burt of Muskegon, MI; goddaughters, Charlesetta Kelso of Lansing, MI, and Margarett Wallace of Indianapolis, IN; special friends, Pat (Emmett) Cannon, and Mary (Abraham) Odunaga of Lansing, MI; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Special thanks to the skilled and professional staff of Fresenius Kidney Care Lansing Central, for 7 years of quality care.

Arrangements for Mrs. Black are as follows: