Bertha Russell Gonce, 99, of South Pittsburg, Tennessee, died on Friday, December 19, 2014.
She was the daughter of Alexander Gaines and Barbara Raulston Russell of Anderson, Tn.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Marion A. Gonce, son Donald Marion Gonce, brothers, Robert, Doran, and Jerry Russell, half brothers, John Dee, Leslie, Alfred, and James Cotnam Russell, half- sisters, Avis and Mary Louise Russell Phillips.
She is survived by daughters, Barbara Clepper of South Pittsburg and Carolyn (Wayne) LeRoy of Nashville; grandchildren, Jayne Clepper (Paul) Halvorson, Jonesboro, GA, Debbie Pickens, Birmingham, AL, Donna (Tommy) Lawson, Bridgeport, AL, Mike Gonce, Deena (Jere) Brown all of South Pittsburg, Emily LeRoy, Ellen LeRoy, Marian (Michael) Kohl, all of Nashville; nine great-grandchildren, one great-great-granddaughter and many special nieces and nephews.
Bertha and Marion lived on their farm near the TN/AL state line, in the same house, for over 72 years. She was a long time member of Christ Church Episcopal, where she served as the first woman on the Vestry and as Altar Chairman. She was active in the P.T.A., helped organize the Community Service League in South Pittsburg and was a Scout Leader. Bertha loved her family, enjoyed entertaining, gardening, cooking, and in her younger years, riding horses, pitching horseshoes, swimming, and fishing.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, Dec. 21, from 4-8 p.m., at Rogers Funeral Home in South Pittsburg. Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 22, at Christ Church Episcopal in South Pittsburg with Reverend Kim Hobby officiating. Interment will be in Sequatchie Valley Memorial Gardens in Jasper.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to the Christ Church Episcopal Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 347, South Pittsburg, or to your favorite charity.