Bertha Mae Dunlap

Obituary For Bertha Mae Dunlap

Mother Bertha Mae Dunlap was born on August 22, 1928 to the late Solomon and Ida Mae Dunlap in McCormack, South Carolina, of parents whom she adored. She was the oldest of 2 children and attended school until grade 8. She was very precocious and curious with many skills and talents such as: sewing, cooking, drawing, gardening, and piano. As a child she was a young entrepreneur often selling candy and flowers in her local church.

Bertha was a daddy’s girl, and her most painful experience as a child was when he died while working as machinist during the Christmas season. Yet, she always managed to overcome that loss when she had children to make the season memorable for them.

She moved to New York at a young age and worked as a sleep-in maid for Jewish families located in Long Island, NY. During this time, her love for music led her to become quite familiar with a group called The Spiritual Echoes. Once she started her family, she decided to finish her education and enrolled in Jane Addams School of Cosmetology where she earned her diploma in Cosmetology. She became known for her great talent with hair and makeup.

When she moved to the Bronx, NY she became a member of the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church under Pastor Kenneth Folkes, Sr. Then in 1996, after the death of Elder Michael R. Bennett, she came to live with her daughter, Verdell Esther Bennett. She had a good life with many friends and family. Some of her favorite TV shows were The Honeymooners, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Wheel of Fortune, The Price is Right, and The Nanny.

Nothing brought Bertha more joy and happiness than when she became a member in 1996 of Bethelite Community Baptist Church now known as ATLAH World Missionary Church. She became a faithful, committed, and loving member who was elevated to the status of Mother. She loved Jesus,Pastor and Mother Manning, the church members, and her family. Bertha was also a praying woman and was known for her very generous spirit. She would often greet members and others with a “scripture and a piece of money for their pocket.” Her favorite spiritual words were “Only the Righteous Shall See God.” She also had a very comedic spirit, often rendering a winning smile or response at her time of joking. Bertha was also very protective of the building, and earned the name “eagle eye security” because nothing got past her.

Mother Bertha Dunlap will forever be in our hearts for her generosity, kindness, and love which she so freely gave to everyone. She leaves to cherish her memory: her daughters: Verdell Esther Bennett, Bertha Brown, Emma Walker, and Bathsheba Sherman; son Raymond Dunlap; grandchildren: Kisha Walker, Kquadjia Macklin, Jantel Walker, Damel Lemar Walker, Kashanna Macklin, Matthew Brown, David Solomon Sherman, and a host of great-grandchildren and other relatives and friends.

Acknowledgments

Verdell Esther Bennett and Bathsheba Sherman along with the family would like to express their sincere thanks and gratitude to The Honorable James David Manning, Mother Elizabeth Sarah Manning, and the ATLAH World Missionary Church Family for their unwavering love and support during this time.

Verdell Esther Bennett would like to acknowledge and thank the following organizations and staff for their services and support:

Visiting Nurse Services

LinkHome Care Services

Village Care Max

Workmen’s Circle