Mrs. Bertha L. Sanks Edmond, 76, passed on the afternoon of June 16, 2024. An Angel of Mercy came into Bertha's room and she peacefully slipped away to be at rest.

Funeral service will be held 12 noon EST, Monday, June 24, 2024 at Mt. Mariah Baptist Church, Phenix City, AL with Rev. W.G. Perkins, pastor, officiating. Interment to follow in Lakeview Memory Gardens. Public viewing will be on Saturday, June 22, 2024 from 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. EST.

Early Life: Bertha Lee Sanks Edmond was born on June 24, 1947. She was the third child of the late Lucinda Jones Sanks and the first child of the late Richard Lee Crowell in Phenix City, AL.

Church: Bertha accepted Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior on Tuesday night, June 24, 1958 at Mt. Mariah Baptist Church. Rev J.P. Jackson was the pastor and Rev. R.C. Gates was the visiting preacher. Bertha's Christian journey while a member of Mt. Mariah included joining the Usher Board, the Junior Choir, and later joining the Senior Choir. She served in many roles and positions including Missionary, Deaconess, Sunday School Teacher, Youth Director, Vacation Bible School Teacher, Vice-President of the Senior Choir, and later President of the Senior Choir. Bertha also organized the Willing Worker's Club and served faithfully at Mt. Mariah until her health failed in 2020.
Singing: Bertha loved to sing and shared her beautiful soprano voice beyond Mt. Mariah. She also sang with Liberty Hill Missionary Baptist Church Senior Choir, East Alabama Singing Convention and the Jimmy Hammond Inspirational Choir. Her favorite song was "Walk Around Heaven" and “I thank you Lord”.

Foster Parent: Always an advocate for children and those in need, Bertha became a foster care provider for adults and children in 1990. Many of the children who were placed in her care still consider her their mama today. Bertha's heart was large and she loved all of her children dearly.

Education & Nursing: Always striving to do her best, Bertha graduated from Central High School, Phenix City, AL in 1972 and Cobb Hospital School of Practical Nursing in 1976. Bertha was employed as a nurse at St. Francis Hospital from 1982 until she retired in 2007. While working at St. Francis Hospital, Bertha enrolled at Chattahoochee Valley Community College (CVCC) in 1982 for RN school and completed the program in 1983. She later enrolled at Troy State University to complete her bachelor's degree and was one class short of receiving her Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Family: Bertha had her three eldest children at an early age. However, she did not let being a single parent deter her. She persevered, continued her education, and developed a deeper faith in God. She married Charlie Frank Edmond on March 28,1973 therein they began their blended family.

Bertha was preceded in death by her sister, Mary Sanks; brother, David Sanks; beloved daughter, Gail Sanks Green Gilliam; two sons Charlie Douglas Edmond and Robert Edmond; her grandson Anthony Sanks, and son-in-law Charlie Jones, Jr.

Legacy: She leaves to cherish her memories: her loving husband, Charlie Frank Edmond; daughter, Rosalyn Jones; sons Richard Sanks, Charles (Angel) Edmond, and Reginald Edmond; bonus daughter, Sandra (Jose) Torres; bonus sons, Curtis Edmond and Timothy (Temeika) Oliver; 17 grandchildren, Courtney (Rachael) Upshaw, Michael Barker, Amelia Barker, Jose (Vida) Torres, II, Danielle Torres, Saadiq Edmond, Amethyst Edmond, Charles Edmond, Jr., Cameron (Makayla) Bennett, Destinee Edmond, Chelsi Gladney, Kierra Edmond, Amanda (Thomas) Daily, Charlie Bailey, III, Daiquiri Steele, Tyran Steele, and Winter Steele; nine great-grandchildren: Jakiya Upshaw, Jamarion Upshaw, Jamoira Upshaw, Ja'Kadence Upshaw, Eden Barker, Aaronice Jones, Trenton Daily, Samara Torres, and Kynlee Edmond; sisters, Fannie Sanks and Georgia Sanks (Eugene) Smith; brothers-in-law, Clarence (Patricia) Edmond and Isaac (Judy) Edmond; sister-in laws, Elizabeth Edmond, Learah Lee and Janie Reeves; and a host of nieces, nephews, foster children, godchildren, and friends.