Obituary of Bertha Lamar Paul

Bertha Lamar (Johnson) Paul was born on November 6th, 1941 to the union of the late Joe Silas Johnson & Bertha Lee (Jones) Johnson in Plains, Ga. Bertha was the youngest daughter of 14 children. She was a graduate of the 1959 class of Sumter High School in Americus, Ga. After graduating from high school, Bertha left Georgia and followed her late sister Lucille to Michigan so she could chase her dream of becoming a nurse one day. She worked as a live-in sitter for a family in Gull Lake, MI where they helped her enroll in classes at Nazareth College. However, fate intervened, and Bertha met and fell in love with her former husband, Eddie Lee Paul. So, as her family began to grow, Bertha decided to put her dream of becoming a nurse on hold. Bertha worked at the VA Medical Center as a Psychiatric Nursing Assistant and as a Supply Clerk for several years. Always having a love and passion for children she received her license by the State of Michigan to operate her own daycare business out of her home. Bertha was KNOWN for being one of the GREATEST cooks this side of heaven. She and along with her son Darryl Sr. managed and operated a local soul food restaurant called Barbecue King. Although she did all of that with much dedication, her greatest joy was her children and grandchildren. She loved family. Bertha became a Foster Mom in 1991. She provided a home for 13 children in the Michigan Foster Care System. Three of which she legally adopted. In 1979 Bertha was licensed as an Evangelist with The Church of God in Christ where she held positions on the local and district level. Her home housed many local and foreign missionaries and evangelists from Detroit, Texas, Virginia, and The Republic of Cameroon. Bertha was a member of Restoration Church of Americus, Ga. where she worked with the Women’s Ministry. She truly loved her Pastor & 1st Lady Edge along with her church family. Bertha was a warrior for Christ, she loved the word of God and took advantage of every opportunity to read, study and share his word with others. Telling them about the goodness of Jesus. Through her personal ministry, many gave their life to Christ. Bertha departed this life on Monday, June 8th, 2020 in Portage, MI. She leaves to cherish her memory two sons; Melvin (Patricia) Paul of Grand Rapids, MI; Darryl (Marlita) Paul Sr. of Grand Rapids, MI and one daughter; Cynthia (Barry) Paul-Dillard of Battle Creek, MI. 9 grandchildren: Darryl Paul Jr.; Cameo Paul, Christan Paul, David (La’ren) Paul, Karen Paul, DaLaun Dillard, Keith Paul, Schakur Paul & Ciara Paul. 6 great grandchildren: Ariana, De’Nairo, Nylia, Jayden, Caydon, & Julian One brother; Allen Johnson of Newark, NJ. Special childhood friends: Majorie Jackson of Atlanta, Ga; Katie McCray-Davis of Brooklyn, NY & Marion Polk of Plains, Ga. along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, God children & friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; Joe and Bertha Johnson, sisters: Helen Hooks, Annie Ruth Jackson, Lucille Hicks, Alice Colwell, Edna Barber, Naomi Mansfield & Mary Smith; brothers: William Johnson, Walter Johnson, Sammy Johnson & Amos Johnson. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.