Bertha Lee Gary was born on March 6, 1927 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina as the second eldest daughter of the late Morris and Nannie Williams Mayo. Her parents later moved to Halifax County where she attended the public schools and graduated from Eastman High School in 1948. Her parents stressed the importance of church and a personal relationship with God, so Bertha, or "Bert" as she was lovingly called, joined Red Hill Baptist Church at an early age and attended faithfully until her health declined. Even though her health did not enable her to attend as regularly as she would have liked, she maintained a deep commitment to her faith and an unshakeable fidelity in her personal relationship with God. On September 14, 1948, Bert married Arthur "Ben" Gary and they lived as a loving couple until his death on August 26, 1989. This union was blessed with three children. Bert always had a loving and kind word for anyone whom she encountered. She loved flowers and home decorations, and before her health declined she enjoyed cooking. The smell of her delicious cakes would greet you at the door when you went to visit. Her kind words and gentle spirit will always be remembered. It was only fitting that on a peaceful and calm morning, God ended her pain and called Bert home to receive her eternal rest. She departed this earthly life on Friday, August 14, 2009, while in the love and care of the staff and employees of Autumn Care Nursing Facility in Nashville, North Carolina.

Bert will be missed dearly, but the valuable lessons that she instilled in those she loved and the precious memories that were shared forever be sources of comfort. Those who will cherish those memories include her daughter: Annie Mae Eaton (Christopher) of Bowie, MD; two sons: Alfonza Gary (Janie) of Apex, NC and Howard Gary (LaVerne) of Durham, NC; one devoted grandson: Marcus Gary (Audrey) of Rocky Mount, NC; four other grandchildren: Darrell Lenell, Keysna, Renee and Serena; five great-grandchildren; two god-daughters: Veronica Michie of Baltimore, MD and Leslie Boone of Whitakers, NC; a loving and devoted caretaker for many years: Camocayne Joyner of Whitakers, NC; five god-grandchildren; seven sisters: Conine Mayo Jones, Viola Mayo Sledge, Susie Mayo Perry (Calvin), Gladys Linda Mayo Hedgespeth (J.D.), all of Enfield, NC, Mary Mayo Dickens of Rocky Mount, NC, Florine Mayo Smith (Howard) and Lillian Mayo McFadden of Philadelphia, PA; two brothers: Moses Mayo of Philadelphia, PA and William Daniel Mayo of Rocky Mount, NC; three brothers-in-law: Estee Gary (Cora) of Newport News, VA, Robert Gary of Enfield, NC, Elquient Gary (Lelia) of Enfield, NC; two sisters-in-law: Catherine Gary of Enfield, NC, Yvonne Mayo of Garner, NC; three step sisters-in-law: Rebecca Rogers (James) of Rocky Mount, NC, Corina Mc Williams and Odessa McWilliams of Enfield, NC; five aunts: Mary Bandy of Newport News, VA, Beulah Pittman of Enfield, NC, Sadie Bynum and Queen Dixon of Philadelphia, PA, Betty Parker of Washington, DC; and one aunt-in-law: Catherine Williams of Enfield, NC. She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Condolences are welcomed!