Mrs. Bertha M. Trice

Bertha Mae Wilson Trice
June 22, 1930 – January 15, 2014
It was a Sunday morning in June on the old home place. The world had welcomed a beautiful new baby girl with open arms. Her name is Bertha Mae and her journey had just begun. She was born in the small farm town called Mount Pleasant in Tennessee. Clarisey Brown Wilson and Hodge Eugene Wilson had once again become proud parents. With joy her grandparents smiled and laughed; Otis and Bessie Brown with Eugene and Hattie Wilson. She was nurtured among a very loving family, full of Aunts and Uncles alike. She was named for two of them, a sister of each parent; Bertha Wilson Webster and Mayola Brown Granberry. The rest of the family watched carefully over her as her life took shape.
Bertha grew up with many good influences around her. Her favorite Uncle, George Wilson doted over her from the day she was born. Two years before she was born her parents had a boy named Lawrence who died as an infant. Everyone around her quickly became her protectors and as she grew up so did she. Her formative years included attending Clarke Training School and under the influence of Dr. James E. Farrell, Bertha not only learned the 3 R’s but also the art of discipline. She often recalled that, “Dr. Farrell only had to discipline her once.”
The women in her life were all pillars of the community and the church. Her grandmother, Mama Sweet and her Aunt Mattie were particularly special to her. But it was her Aunt Mayola that taught her to fish and fishing became one of her favorite pastimes. During the war years, Mama Sweet made sure that she attended noonday prayer on Wednesday’s. It was there that Bertha had her first experience with the Holy Ghost and gave her life to Christ at 13. She was baptized in the creek behind her Grandmother Hattie’s house and she attended St. James Primitive Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant until she moved away.
By the time she was 18 Bertha was married, had her first child Annie and in that same year, her Mother passed away. Determined to excel, she moved to Nashville and her life began to take shape. In 1955 she married Charlie L Trice and four years later her son Paul was born. The family attended Mt. Calvary MBC and in later years joined Jefferson St. MBC. Bertha sang in the choir and taught her children to love and worship God.
When Bertha wasn’t fishing she was perfecting the art of hat making and sewing. But her favorite thing to do was travel. She often said, “Never let the grass grow under your feet, keep moving”. In 1966 her Aunt Mattie became gravely ill. During her transition, she met her Aunt’s pastor, Elder Thomas DeGraphenreed and a year later Phyllis was born. In the early 70’s she and her daughter Ann attended nursing school at Park View Hospital but Bertha loved the outdoors and the open road. In 1976 she started her career with Metro Public Schools Transportation Dept. as a School Bus Driver. She retired in 1995 just in time to enjoy her great grandchildren and to travel where ever Phyllis was living at the time.
Through the art of storytelling, Bertha shared her wisdom and passed the family history to her children, grandkids and to anyone that would listen. She loved the Lord and continued to worship at The Temple Church, Payne Chapel AMEC and was an influential and founding member of Freedom of Praise Church started by Rev. Isaiah Hughes. In 2008 she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease but she never let it stop her famous stories and her quick wit.
On a Wednesday night in January, she passed away at home under the watchful eye of her caregiver Phyllis and her son Paul. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother and her daughter Annie.
Her life legacy will be continued by: Paul L Trice (Vickie), Elder Phyllis E DeGraphenreed, Troy L Murphy Sr., Tracey L Fleming, Bria S Trice, Alexis N Trice, Troy Jr., TaCoria (Randy), Cory Jr., Mercerdaz, Tasia, Tatiana, Trinity and Raelyn. Step Children; Thomas Jr. (Shirley), Judith (Louis), Deborah (Harvey), John (Addie) and Rev. Vetrel. Cousins; Bessie Webb, Johnny Foster and George Wilson Jr. Family Friends; Mary Litchford, Mary Baily and Mary Vaughn.


Mrs. Bertha M. Wilson Trice was born in Mt. Pleasant, TN. on June 22, 1930 and took her eternal rest on January 15, 2014. Bertha was a great woman of faith and a loving mother and grandmother. She was preceded in death by her parents and her daughter Annie E. Murphy. She is survived by her son Paul L. Trice (Vickie); daughter Elder Phyllis E. DeGraphenreed; Grandchildren; Troy, Tracey, Bria and Alexis. Great grandchildren; TJ, TaCoria, Cory Jr. and Mercedaz. Great great grandchildren; Tasia, Tatiana, Trinity and Raelyn. Five step children and a host of relatives and friends.
Visitation with family will be held Saturday January 25th at 11am, followed by a Celebration of Life Memorial service at 12 noon at the Highland Hills Funeral Home. Rev. Robert Johnson Officiant, Apostle L. D. Wilkerson Eulogist.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Association Mid-South Chapter http://www.alz.org/altn/