Bertha Barrow Heiselbetz, 98, devoted wife, dedicated mother to four daughters, grandmother to ten, and great grandmother to 14, wonderful sister to her sisters and brothers, and a friend to many died March 29, 2004 at Shady Acres Health and Rehabilitation Center in Newton, Texas where she had resided since December 2000. She was better known to all as “Mammy”.
She was born July 17, 1905 in Anahuac, Texas to Robert Monroe and Josephine Barrow and was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, three brothers, husband of 65 years Ernest C. Heiselbetz, two sons, one daughter, Alice Joyce Looney Howell, one grandson, Patrick Looney, and one great grandson, Rowdy Arnett. Surviving are daughters Clara and husband, Charles Tansil of Rayburn, Texas, Doris Bell of Orange and Shirley and husband, John Arnett of Tomball, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Bertha will be remembered as a very loving person who always put others first touching many lives with a warm smile and a kind word. A full life of more than 75 years was spent in Beaumont. She was a charter member of North End Baptist Church, where she and her family were longtime members. After moving to Forest Hills, Texas she became an active member of Rayburn Baptist Church. She was truly a Christian woman.
Family and friends will gather to remember and celebrate Bertha’s life at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday evening, March 31. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, April 1, at the mortuary with grandson Reverend Jeffery Bell of Cove Baptist Church of Orange and Reverend Clifford Neal, Rayburn Baptist Church officiating. Pallbearers will be Michael Looney, Jeff Bell, Paul Arnett, Gregory Bell, Tyler Bell, Tracey Looney, Andrew Gay, E. E. Patrick and J. B. Heiselbetz. Interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Beaumont.
Memorial contributions may be made to Rayburn Baptist Church, 156 Parkside Loop, Brookeland, Texas 75931.
