Bertha Rees

Bertha Anna Herold Rees, 89, surrounded by family and loved ones, peacefully died Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008.

Born on Aug. 25, 1918 in Corpus Christi she was the youngest of 12 children born to Bertha Eva (Macha) and Jaroslav Francis Herold. She and her late husband, Melvin C. Rees, were married on June 30, 1946.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and 11 brothers and sisters.

Fond memories of her forever will be cherished by her loving family: son, Carl Rees and wife Joyce of Houston; and daughters, Carolyn Berger and husband Jim of Richmond and Kathleen Rees of Kingsville. Grandma will be lovingly remembered by grandchildren, Carly Ricondo and husband Denney of Round Rock, Chase Rees of Houston, Caryn Brown and husband Michael of Waco, and Reesa Berger of Austin.

"GG" will always hold a special place in the hearts of great-grandsons, William Lee Brown and Edward Riley Brown of Waco. She will be greatly missed by numerous nieces and nephews, as well as great-nieces, great-nephews, and friends.

She was a graduate of Corpus Christi High School, Corpus Christi Junior College and was an honor graduate of The University of Texas at Austin.

She met Melvin when they were both first year teachers at Harlingen High School in Harlingen, Texas - he as the agriculture teacher and she as the home economics teacher. Prior to marriage, she also taught at The University of Texas at Austin. She and Melvin began their married life and family in Garwood where she resided for the next 60 years.

She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who devoted her life to her family and community. She was a talented seamstress and quilt maker, as well as an avid tennis player and fan. She shared her time and talents serving as Den mother and leader for both the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America.

She was a long-standing member and leader of the Home Demonstration Club, for which she served on the state and national board. President Lyndon Johnson appointed her a member of the National Family Life Committee.

The family wishes to express appreciation for extraordinary love and care shown to Bertha by the staff of Cambridge Square Retirement Center during the last two years of her life. In addition, the family wishes to thank Evercare Hospice for making her comfortable in her final journey home.

Her life will be celebrated at Lehrer Memorial United Methodist Church Educational Building in Garwood on Saturday, Feb. 16 at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to one of the following charities very dear to Mrs. Rees: Youth with a Mission - Haiti, P.O. Box 236, Akron, PA 17501; Evercare Hospice, 9702 Bissonnet, Suite 2200W, Houston, TX 77036; or the Garwood Volunteer Fire Department.