nothin Bertha Lee Staton, 103 | New Haven Independent

Bertha Lee Staton, 103

Sister Bertha Lee (Hopkins) Staton was called home to rest after a long illness on Friday, September 23, 2011 at the former Jewish Home for the Aged in New Haven. Sister Staton was born in Pitt County, NC on June 2, 1908 to the late Mack and Phoebe Hopkins.

Sister Staton attended the Pitt County School system prior to marrying Johnnie Staton in her later years. From their union, two sons and a daughter were born. Sister Staton spent most of her life in the south farming tobacco, working at the potato house” and doing domestic work for various families. She was also a member of Reddick Chapel Baptist Church where she was an usher.

In the 70’s, Sister Staton visited her children and their families in New Haven. She would visit during the summer and spend at least a month in town. She loved her family dearly and spent lots of time with the grandchildren. She cooked soul food” and especially loved cooking collard greens. She would also make chicken pot pies and bake pineapple cakes for the family.

Sister Staton often took her grandchildren shopping on Saturdays at W.T. Grants and Woolworth Department Stores. She enjoyed fishing regularly and her favorite catches were catfish and perches. She was also a seamstress and enjoyed making clothes for the grandchildren.

While living in Bethel, NC, Sister Staton became ill and couldn’t live on her own any longer. Her sweet daughter Christine decided to move her to New Haven in 1984 and that is where Sister Staton has resided for the last 27 years. She later joined Mt. Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. She remained religious until she was called home at the age of 103.

Sister Staton was known for being very strict with a straight forwardness where she would always tell it like it is…” Her great-nephew Darrell lovingly said, She kept us in line.” She had lots of wisdom and was often called upon for advice and remedies for sick children in the family when the doctors couldn’t figure it out, in relationships, domestic disagreements, job-related matters, etc. Sister Staton was a strong force to be reckoned with and she will be sorely and deeply missed.

She leaves to cherish her memories: one daughter, Christine (Staton) Thomas of New Haven, CT; seven grandchildren, Celestine Thomas, Samuel Thomas (Leona) and James Arthur Staton of New Haven, CT; Curtis Ray Parker, Martha Hopkins, Ann Andrews and James Parker of NC; twelve great-grandchildren that include: LaTosha, Demetrius (Shonda), Marques, Jamar (Tanara), Demetrius Daniels, Odyssey, LaKwanza, and James, Jr. of CT; plus four other great-grandchildren in NC; fourteen great-great grandchildren and six great, great, great-grandchildren; four nephews, Henry Hopkins, Jr. of Portsmouth, VA, James Albert Hopkins of West Haven, CT, Franklin Hopkins of Hamden, CT and Sylvester Hopkins of New Haven, CT; four nieces, Margaret Hopkins of New Haven, CT; Margaret (Hopkins) Outley of West Haven, CT; Lillie Mae Hudson (Litt) of Robersonville, NC and Laura (Vicky) Hopkins of Bronx, NY; and a host of relatives and friends.

She was predeceased by her husband, Johnnie Staton; two sons, James Curtis and Johnnie Jr.; five brothers: James (Bud), Henry (Babe), Mack Jr., Lyman, and Thomas Hopkins; four sisters: Mary Stancil, Martha Hopkins-Clemons, Maggie Powell, and Isabella (Teenie) Brown; one granddaughter, Linda (Pie) Thomas; one son-in-law, Samuel Thomas; two nieces, Helen (Hopkins) Brown and Phoebe Staton; five nephews, Fred Staton, Isaac, John Lee, Lyman, and Arthur Hopkins; several other nieces and nephews and a very close sister-in-law, Queen Esther Hopkins.

A celebration of her life will take place on Friday, September 30, 2011 at 11AM at Mt Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, 100 Webster Street, New Haven, CT 06511 with a calling hour from 10 – 11AM. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery. Service by Howard K. Hill Funeral Services, 1287 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT.

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