Bertha Lee Smith

Bertha’s Journey Bertha Lee Smith, at the age of seventy-six, passed away on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, in Crisfield, Maryland. She was born to the late Oliver F. Smith and Viola Ivey on November 15, 1948, in Greensville County, Virginia. Bertha was educated in the Philadelphia Public School System. She became a mother and home maker soon after. Bertha returned to school in her later years of life and studied Pan African Studies at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Bertha was employed at Lionel Thomas for eighteen (18) years where she enjoyed building the timeless trains. She was enthusiastic about her craftsmanship. After a sudden furlough, Bertha decided to choose a different career path, law enforcement or security. She chose the latter. Bertha enrolled in the OIC Philadelphia Program where she earned a certificate in security. She successfully passed all gun training safety courses and was able to have a firearm for her job. She also scored higher than 70% of her male counterparts while firing a shotgun at the Pennsylvania State Police Barracks. They were so impressed that they offered her a job. Brooks Security employed Bertha, and she later worked for the Bell Atlantic Company, now known as Verizon, as an armed security guard for several years. Wells Fargo later employed her until she retired in 1996 and she moved from Philadelphia, PA to Crisfield, MD in July 1996. Bertha loved the Lord, family, fun and food. She made Sunday meals look like Thanksgiving. She would feed anyone, but she had one request: “that you don’t waste the food, eat.” Bertha was big on family. If she was upset with you, you would know. Bertha also loved to dance. She enjoyed listening to music from many genres and she lovingly passed several dance routines onto her children and grandchildren. Bertha was affectionately called “Mom Mom” by her grandchildren and great grand children. Bertha’s oldest grandchild, John, affectionately called her “Granny.” She found this funny because he started the “Mom Mom” nickname. Bertha is survived by: her children, Christine Smith of Crisfield, Maryland, Kenneth Smith (Elaine) of Salisbury, Maryland, and Patricia Haughton (Patrick) of Laurel, Maryland; her sister Florence Smith-Allen of Crisfield, Maryland; 8 grandchildren, John, Tawine, Shante, Shanika, Iesha, Aliyah, Kenyatta, and Jasmine; 18 great grandchildren; 1 nieces Ramona; 3 nephews, Derome, Alphonzo, and Jaime and her close friends were Dietrich ( Dee Dee) Smith, Sam Ward, Kathy and Maddie Thomas, many more beloved family members and friends. Bertha was preceded in death by her father, Oliver F. Smith, mother, Viola Ivey Jefferson, sister, Dorothy Tillman, brother, George F. Smith, grandson, Kenneth Smith, Jr., and nephew, Carl Smith. Sorrowfully Submitted ~ The Family

Bertha Lee Smith

November 15, 1948 - October 15, 2025