Bertha L. Carson

Bertha L. Carson, age 101, of Pinckneyville, Ill., passed away on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013 at 8:31 a.m. in St. Joseph Memorial Hospital, Murphysboro, Ill.

Bertha was born on March 5, 1911 in Pinckneyville, Ill., a daughter to Herman K. and Josephine (Koegnestein) Kellerman. On July 12, 1943, she married Edgar S. Carson in Pinckneyville, Ill. and he preceded her in death on April 6, 1988. Bertha was a member of the First Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, Ill. where she taught Sunday school for many years. Earlier in her life she was the pianist at Oak Grove Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, Ill. She graduated from Pinckneyville Community High School and received a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Ill. Bertha taught public school for 34 years, 12 years in rural schools near Pinckneyville, Ill. and 22 years teaching second grade at Pinckneyville Grade School. She was a member Pinckneyville Senior Citizens as well as the Home Extension, Perry County Retired Teachers Association and the Illinois Retired Teachers Association. Throughout her life Bertha enjoyed a variety of hobbies including reading, playing the piano and organ, quilting, ceramics, cooking, sewing and gardening. She also enjoyed traveling and took many trips with her family and friends.

After the celebration of her 100th birthday, she moved to Prairie Living at Chautauqua in Carbondale where she made many friends and lived comfortably for 16 months. She spent the last five months at Jackson County Care and Rehab in Murphysboro, Ill. Bertha was a caring wife, step-mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt whose life shined through her faith in Jesus.

Survivors include one step- daughter, Elaine Foster of Du Quoin, Ill.; one granddaughter, Cindy (Jesse William) Barge of Murphysboro, Ill.; one great-grandchild, Jesse Foster Barge of Murphysboro, Ill.; one great-great grandchild, Jesse Cooper Barge of Campbell Hill, Ill.; many nieces and nephews and many great and great-great nieces and nephews and many dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two sisters, Ruth Shute and baby Grace Kellerman who died in infancy and one step son-in-law, George T. Foster.

Funeral services will be held at the First Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, Ill. on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. with Brother Rob Mathis officiating. Interment will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, Pinckneyville, Ill.

Friends may call at First Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, Ill. on Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, Ill.

Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, Ill. is in charge of the arrangements.

For more information or to sign an online guest register, please visit www.pyattfuneralhome.com.