Bertha Spicer: Laughter, Legacy, and a Heart That Never Forgot

Family profile adapted from the memories of Pauline, Sharon, Willye, Deb, Kerri, and Virshelle 

Curated by Kathleen A. Tucker (aka Kat) Her Proud Great-Niece

Bertha Rene Graham Spicer—beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, and matriarch—was the fifth of the twelve Graham children, and the fourth daughter born to Mack and Ada Graham. Known for her natural beauty, thick hair, and radiant laugh, she brought warmth and humor to every space she entered. Laughter wasn’t just a reaction—it was part of her identity. She saw joy and humor in nearly everything, and her spirit made the world feel lighter.

Her favorite color was red, and she wore it boldly and beautifully. In her younger years, she pressed and curled her hair herself each Saturday night in preparation for Sunday. As she aged and wigs became fashionable, she embraced them with flair. Her father lovingly called her “Shag” or “Shab” because of the lushness of her hair—a nickname that stuck and made its way into family lore.

Bertha married Roscoe Spicer, and together they raised nine children—eight girls and one boy. Two of their children, Glory Dean and Roscoe Jr., passed away young, but their birthdays were always remembered. Her love for all of her children, both living and departed, was unwavering.

She and her husband were hardworking farmers who raised not only their children but also much of their own food. The family garden and livestock became the foundation for many meals and lessons. She canned vegetables, raised hogs, and gave her children a deep understanding of where their food came from. That lifestyle left a lasting legacy that generations remain grateful for—it taught not just survival, but pride and self-sufficiency.

Faith and service defined Bertha’s life. She accepted Yahusha (Jesus) as her Savior and remained active in her church and community. She taught Sunday School, served in the choir, guided youth programs, and was dearly loved by all who knew her. She often had deep conversations about Scripture, even with her father, and held firmly to the belief that salvation meant helping lead others toward the light.

During a time when her sister Vera was gravely ill with tuberculosis in New York, Bertha prayed and received a word from the Creator that Vera would be healed. Her children recalled her lifting her hands in praise and giving thanks, and indeed, Aunt Vera recovered fully.

Bertha’s generosity extended beyond her family. Living in a home by the roadside near railroad tracks, she often fed travelers who passed through, asking for food. She would share what she had—often offering up freshly made hoecakes from leftover biscuit dough. Her hospitality was instinctive, and those who stopped by were never turned away hungry.

Her personality was both fearless and funny. She wasn’t afraid of snakes—but she was afraid of grasshoppers. One story recalls a grasshopper flying into her car window, and Bertha leaping out into the middle of the road without hesitation.

She was resourceful and full of determination. When she wanted to visit her sister Charlene (“Aunt Kid”) and their truck could only move in reverse, that didn’t stop her. She climbed into the driver’s seat and backed the truck the entire way to Charlene’s house—a feat that became a treasured family tale.

Bertha was a masterful cook and baker, known for cakes that seemed to vanish as quickly as they were made. Her brother Tommy often stopped by and headed straight to the kitchen to help himself. One day, with a fresh cake just out of the oven, Bertha decided to have a little fun with him. She playfully hid the cake in a large trunk in the bedroom, locked it, and tucked the key away to keep him from finding it. But in her amusement, she later forgot where she hid the key. The family had to break the lock, and from that point on, the trunk was used keyless for years to come.

In her final years, Bertha battled Alzheimer’s disease, but her kind spirit continued to shine. She lived to be 99 years old, receiving a letter from President Barack Obama honoring her life. She was the last of the Graham siblings to pass away, peacefully in her sleep—closing a treasured generation with grace.

Her legacy lives on through the generations she nurtured—with stories that still bring laughter, lessons that still inspire, and a love that still surrounds the Graham family today.