Bertha R. Kinder, 97

JONESTOWN - Bertha Rebecca Kinder (nee Jones), 97, passed away Thursday, March 27, 2008 at The Pines Nursing Home in Easton.

She was born on Jan. 10, 1911 in Jonestown, daughter of the late Rev. Ralph Wood Jones and Nora Sharp Jones.

Bertha attended Jonestown School. As was common in those days, she left school early to help support her family, both before and during the Depression. She began work in 1942 in the garment industry during World War II with her sister, Elsie Frazier and brother-in-law, James Frazier. She was later joined by her nephew's wife, Elmira Collins in the late 1950s. For many years she was as an Examiner in the Shipping Department of Hurlock Sportswear. She retired in 1983.

She was joined in marriage with James Prattis and was a supportive wife until his death after an extended illness. She later married Isaac "Booker T." Kinder and nursed him through his sickness until his death in 1981.

She was a member of Coppins AME Church for her entire life. She was just 1 year old when it was founded and her father, along with the other Trustees, laid the cornerstone on July 28, 1912. Bertha served for many years as a Stewardess and Missionary.

Mrs. Kinder received numerous awards during her lifetime. She, along with other members of Coppins AME Church, was honored at an Appreciation Banquet in 1997. In 1999, she received the Caroline County Government Citizenship Award as well as a Certificate of Appreciation for 25 years of dedicated service to the Baltimore Conference Branch Women's Missionary Society. She was acknowledged by the Baltimore Conference Women's Missionary Society as one of the "Baltimore Conference's Nonagenarians: Some of God's Chosen Vessels" in 2005. Her commendation was signed by Sheila Dixon, then President of the City Council, now Mayor of Baltimore City. In the same year, she received a Governor's Citation from then Governor Robert Ehrlich in appreciation of her outstanding services to the citizens of this state.

To the residents of Jonestown, she was a matriarch of the community. She was known by friends and family alike as "Mother to us all."

Her home was both a sanctuary and a place to kick back and have fun. A fond memory was raising money for the church through contests, often where she would cook soul food dinners. In later years she was known for her cold oven cake, her egg nog, relish and canned goods. She had a great expertise in growing tomatoes, peppers, okra, and anything that grew on the vine. She also grew beautiful flowers, especially azaleas, tulips and roses. She often had special barbecues and crab feasts for her nieces and nephews.

She came from a family of 12 children. Six siblings died at a very early age. Her sister, Sarah Collins, and her brother, Ralph Jenkins Jones, also preceded her in death.

She is survived by her sisters, Dorothy Burns, Elsie Frazier and Rosetta Johns, all of Jonestown, and her sister-in-law, Catherine Jones, formerly of Jonestown. Also, her goddaughter, Tonya Davis Nora of Gaithersburg, and her namesakes, Rebecca Johns Hackett and Rebekah Patricia Hackett of Baltimore. In addition, Marshall Collins, Charmaine Geeter, Robert Burns, Lenora Horne, Beverly O'Neal, Marvin Frazier, Shirlee Washington, Barbara Ann Pinder, Valerie Chase, Diane Nichols, Ralph Jones Jr., Rodney Jones, Beverly Webster, Joanna Preston, Darlene Sturdivant, Roy E. Johns, Don Johns, Rebecca Johns Hackett, Melody Johns, Steven Johns, Arville Johns and Darron Johns, dear friend Sheena Friend, and a number of great-nieces and great-nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, at Coppins AME Church in Jonestown with the Rev. Randolph Fitchett Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. Friends may call at the church from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Framptom Funeral Home in Federalsburg is handling the arrangements.

To share memories with the family please visit www.framptom.com.