BERTHA WILLIAMS-HOOD

Ms. Bertha Williams-Hood, age 71, of DeFuniak Springs passed away Wednesday,
November 28, 2018 in the comfort home of her daughter located in Stockbridge,
Georgia. She was born on July 15, 1947 in DeFuniak Springs, Florida.
Bertha is the daughter of late George Henry Williams and Ruby Lee Lacy Williams. She
attended Tivoli School graduating with the Class of 1964. After graduating from high
school, she married and traveled as a military wife throughout the country. During those
years, she worked as a seamstress operating machines producing many patterns which
she continued as a hobby for many years. In the late 70’s, Bertha eventually moved
back to DeFuniak Springs where she was employed by the late Mr. & Mrs. Paul
Thompson as a Domestic Housekeeper for 14 years. She became very close to the
family while working in their home and a “second mother figure” to their daughter Ann.
In 1991, Bertha was hired as a Community Service Specialist for Tri-County Community
Council, Inc. She’s spent many years working basically every component of the
community assist program within the company. She has helped hundreds of families
throughout the Walton County area whether it was bill assistance with home heating,
lighting, clothing, emergency food and shelter, canning food products, educational
funding for childcare or renovating homes in the area. She dedicated many Saturday’s
collecting and organizing the food pantry for those in need. She really cared about her
community and enjoyed helping others. Bertha retired from this position 21 years later
and continued to work there part-time on an at-need request. Bertha had many hobbies.
In her early years, she enjoyed sewing. Bertha and her closest friends would stay up on
a Saturday night sewing an outfit for Sunday morning church services. She also
enjoyed cooking, crossword puzzles, playing bingo, church-related activities, attending
concerts, reading and spending time with her family. She got along with everyone and
many people spoke highly of her qualities, such as her honesty, caring and always
presented a smiling face. Anyone who knows Bertha can attest that she was a God fearing
woman. She grew up going to Temple Baptist Church of DeFuniak Springs
where her mother and grandmother attended faithfully as well. Later in her adult years,
she joined Union Springs Missionary Baptist Church and held leadership positions
within the ministry. She was a devoted Christian and believed Christ is our healer,
comforter, protector, provider and we should always call on Him in a time of need. She
called on Him in the early hours of November 28, 2018 and spiritually joined Him for
eternal life.
Bertha was predeceased by her parents George Williams, Sr., Ruby Lacy- Williams and
her brother Elijah Williams.
She will be fondly remembered by her two daughters: Angela Hood of Stockbridge, GA;
Tamiko Barnes (Al) of Stockbridge, GA. Three sons: George Hood (Atonya) of Monroe,
NC; Marvin Hood (Arlene) of Tampa, FL; Barnard Lindsey of DeFuniak Springs, FL.
Five brothers: Thomas Lacy (Virginia) of New Orleans, LA; George Williams, Jr. (Eva) of
Shreveport, LA; Elisha Williams of Ruston, LA; Anderson Williams , Clarence Williams
(Kim) all of DeFuniak Springs, FL. Two sisters: Laura Henderson of DeFuniak Springs,
FL; Shirley Brown (Setrell) of Valdosta, GA. One Uncle: Benny R. Goodman, Sr. of
Elgin, IL. She is survived by 17 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren and  numerous
nieces, nephews and special life-time long friends.

Floral arrangements are being accepted.  The body will lie-in-state from 11:00 A.M. until Noon Saturday, December 8, 2018 in Union Springs Missionary Baptist Church, 416 Railroad Street, DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32435 with the funeral beginning at Noon in the church with Pastor Anthony Johnson presiding.  Burial will follow in Euchee Valley Cemetery.