Bertha Lee McLaughlin

Throughout history, it has been recognized that women play a crucial role in shaping the world we live in. In our own era, we were blessed to have the presence of Bertha (Hodge) McLaughlin, a devoted mother whose simplicity, grace, and dignity served as a guiding light in her life's journey.

Bertha was a woman who lived a life full of love, faith, and adventure. She was born on July 18, 1940 in Plain Dealing, Louisiana and was the sixth of ten children born to the union of Jackson and Armeria (Smith) Hodge. Raising her six children, Lorenzo, Brenda, Pamela, Tammy, Cazzie and Antwan, brought her endless joy. Bertha cherished her family above all else.

Serving God and worshipping with her church family brought Bertha much satisfaction. In Flint, Michigan, she found comfort in her faith at the House of Prayer Missionary Baptist church, following her move to Prattville, Alabama. She continued her spiritual journey and found solace at the Old Kingston Baptist Church under the guidance of her pastor, Reverend Ben Carter.

Bertha embodied ambition and courage, a trailblazer who pursued her goals with fierce determination. In 1986, she married Donald McLaughlin, affectionately known as Big Daddy, in Flint Michigan.  Together, they dreamed of retiring and settling down in the South. Bertha worked hard for twenty-two years at General Motors Corporation's Buick City until she finally retired. They began saving and purchased acres of land in the countryside and together, they built their dream home from the ground up. They worked tirelessly, raising livestock and cultivating crops, especially watermelons that they sold. Bertha’s spirit of perseverance and dedication to her dream was genuinely inspiring.

Her strength and sense of wonder never wavered, and she was always eager to learn. Traveling, playing games on her phone, and shopping for fashionable clothes brought her joy as her retirement pastimes. Additionally, she made sure she spent as much time over the past years with her best friend, younger sister Mary, and youngest brother Milton.

The memory of this remarkable woman will always be treasured by her loved ones, especially her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. To her grandchildren, she was affectionally known as "Nannie." She made each grandchild feel special in their own way. They even spelled her name differently, "Nana," "Nanny," "Granny”, and "Nonnie," as she was one grandmother but met multiple needs for each of them.

0n Thursday, April 27, 2023, the world lost one of its brightest lights as Bertha McLaughlin, age 82, transitioned from her earthly body to her new home in glory. With her beloved family at her side, Bertha bid her farewell and left us with words of comfort, “I lived a good life, so don’t cry for me."

Bertha leaves to cherish her fond memories: three daughters, Brenda Gibson, Pamela Hall of Prattville, AL; Tammy Henderson of Montgomery, AL; two sons; Lorenzo (Glenda) Avery of Flint, MI, Antwan McLaughlin of Renton, WA; daughter-law Deloris Avery; 16 grandchildren, Antwanette Gibson, Letwan (Naticia) Hall, SaToya Stephens, Akia Henderson, Lorenzo Avery Jr., Cazzie Avery Jr., Bianca Avery, Ashley (Jeremy) Nowden, Bertha Ty Hall, Keila Lyons, Karron Avery, Kamron Avery, Kalin Avery, Jasmine Henderson, Chloe McLaughlin, Knox McLaughlin; Sister: Mary Hodge; Brother: Milton (Darlene) Hodge; a host of nieces, nephews; best friends Maxine & Lewis Carlton, and  many other  family and friends. A special thanks to Prattville Baptist Hospital, Adoration Hospice Care, Old Kingston Church family, Carlvette Wright, granddaughter Bianca Avery, and special daughters, Pat Torrey and Brigitte Jackson.

Bertha was preceded in death by her husband Donald McLaughlin; parents, Jackson and Armeria Hodge; son, Cazzie Avery; sons-in law, Bobby Hall and Bobby Henderson; granddaughters Shakila Gibson and Tamika Hall; siblings, Perkins Hodge, Alice Scott, Willie Hodge, Van Hodge, Ellen Player, Jimmy Hodge and Fannie Humphrey.

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