Bertha Gonce

Bertha Russell Gonce, 99, died Friday, Dec 19, 2014. She was the daughter of Alexander Gaines and Barbara Raulston Russell of Anderson, Tenn. Bertha and Marion lived on their farm near the Tennessee-Alabama state line, in the same house, for over 72 years. She was a long-time member of Christ Church Episcopal, where she served as the first woman on the Vestry and as Altar Chairman. She was active in the P.T.A., helped organize the Community Service League in South Pittsburg and was a Scout Leader. Bertha loved her family, enjoyed entertaining, gardening, cooking, and in her younger years, riding horses, pitching horseshoes, swimming and fishing. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marion A. Gonce; son, Donald Marion Gonce; brothers, Robert, Doran, and Jerry Russell; half-brothers, John Dee, Leslie, Alfred, and James Cotnam Russell; half-sisters, Avis and Mary Louise Russell Phillips. She is survived by daughters, Barbara Clepper of South Pittsburg, and Carolyn (Wayne) LeRoy of Nashville; grandchildren, Jayne Clepper (Paul) Halvorson, Jonesboro, Ga., Debbie Pickens, Birmingham, Ala., Donna (Tommy) Lawson, Bridgeport, Ala., Mike Gonce, Deena (Jere) Brown all of South Pittsburg, Emily LeRoy, Ellen LeRoy, Marian (Michael) Kohl, all of Nashville; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter and many special nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. today, Dec. 22, at Christ Church Episcopal in South Pittsburg with Rev. Kim Hobby officiating. Interment will be in Sequatchie Valley Memorial Gardens in Jasper. Online condolences may be left at www.rogersfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to the Christ Church Episcopal Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 347, South Pittsburg, TN 37380, or to your favorite charity. Arrangements by Rogers Funeral Home in South Pittsburg.