Bertha Mae Witt

Bertha Mae "Bert" Gaines Witt was born on March 29, 1941, in Dallas County, Alabama, to the late Mr. Alonzia Gaines, Sr. and Mrs. Lucille Gaines.

She was educated in the Dallas County School System and graduated from Dallas County Training School in 1959.

Bert dedicated several years of faithful service as a surgical technician at Highland Hospital (presently UAB Highlands) before laying down her medical tools, hanging up her scrubs, and retiring. After retirement, she continued her service to others by nourishing the bodies and hearts of many children as the cook at Step Ahead Daycare and Development Center, where she worked alongside her sister.

She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior early in life and made her confession of faith at Center Baptist Church in Perry County, Alabama. After relocating to Bessemer, Alabama, she united with First Baptist Church, 9th Street, under the leadership of Reverend F. D. King.

Bert was a thrill to be around and was loved by her family and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother, siblings, Alonzia Gaines, Jr., Rosie Lee Woodfork, Ethal Lee Gaines, and Willie James Gaines.

Her memory will be forever cherished by: a dedicated son, Robert "Skip" (Lisa) Gaines; randchildren, Tony and Tonya Thompson, Santeria, Ke'aunda, and Elijah Gaines, Ravon McClammy, and Jeremias Wright; great-grandchildren, Khalyl, Auri, Raigen, Rileigh, Joseph, Ta'Karis, Ty'Con, Elijah, Jr., and Kyree; siblings, Moses (Sallie) Gaines, Dorothy Murry, Annie Pearl Perkins, Barbara Gaines, Eziah Gaines, Lucille Gaines Allen, and Deborah Gaines and a host of special nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.