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Submitted by: Sharon Lee - Niece
(Reprinted with permission )
Graveside services for Bertha May Sanders will be 10:30 a.m., Wed. Sept. 29th, 2010, at Bethel Greenwood Cemetery, Parkland, OK. Friends may visit at the funeral home today from 4-8, with family receiving friends from 4-6. Bertha passed away on Sun., Sept. 26th, 2010. She was 102.
Born in Parkland, OK on June 30th, 1908 to Oscar and Carrie (Allen) Johnson, Bertha was the eldest of 17 children. She learned at a young age how to manage a home and was a tremendous help to her mother and father. Following her schooling Bertha married Oca Everett Sanders in Custer, OK; they made their home in Indianapolis, OK before moving to Oklahoma City. In 1985 Bertha and her husband moved to Claremore, to be near their daughter.
During the war Bertha worked in a tent factory, using her skills as a seamstress making tents for the soldiers. When she found time to relax Bertha enjoyed tending to her flower garden.
Her longevity brought with it an amazing life. When she was young she traveled by horse drawn wagons and later by automobile and there were many other marvels that she witness in her life. In 1918 she was the only one in her community that didn't contract the flu virus that took the lives of many. Bertha used the knowledge she learned as a child and began looking after those who were sick, bringing them water and food. Her caring and compassionate personality was an inspiration to all that knew her.
A very capable and hard working lady, Bertha leaves a legacy to her beloved family. Those who survive include her daughter Margie Hartzmann and husband Allen of Claremore; her granddaughters Diana Hartzmann of Tulsa and Susan Boykin and husband Joe of Claremore; her great grandchildren Donna Eagen of Skiatook and Robert Boykin of Pryor; and 4 great great grandchildren. Bertha was preceded in death by her parents, (her mother passed away when she was 3; husband; and her son Jefferson Doyle Sanders and all of her siblings.