On August 25, 2015 Bertha Neill Lee arrived at the portals of heaven where by the grace of God she has been restored in a heavenly body and will forever reside in eternal peace and love. She passed away at Wendover Hospice House following a short illness.

Bertha was born on February 23, 1927 in Gaston County to the late Will and Essie Neill.

Bertha was a graduate of Waco High School where she was salutatorian. She went on to graduate from Shelby Hospital School of Nursing (Cleveland Memorial) and continued her nursing education at the Washington DC National Children's Hospital and the Atlanta Division of the University of Georgia. She volunteered as a home front cadet nurse during WWII.

She worked for Dr. John Hunter for 15 years and then worked for Cleveland Memorial for 25 years, retiring in 1989--for 40 years she dedicated herself to caring for others.

In addition to being a sincere caregiver and nurturer, Bertha/Mrs. Lee/ Berfae/ Mo/Bert was a fine cook. She sewed beautiful quilts by hand, loved painting and drawing, and composed lively short stories and poems. Her artistic talents entertained and intrigued her family and friends and attracted recognition at the local senior center. She had creative passions that kept her vibrant for the entirety of life.

She was a member of Shelby First Baptist Church. Her Celebration of Life will be held on August 30, 2015 at 2:00 pm in the Webb Chapel of First Baptist Church with the Rev. Tony Tench officiating. The family will receive friends in the Ladies Parlor at 1pm. Burial will follow at Sunset Cemetery. .

Memorials may be made to Wendover Hospice House, 953 Wendover Heights, Shelby, NC 28150 or First Baptist Church, 121 North Lafayette Street, Shelby, NC 28150.

Bertha was preceded in death by her husband, Odus Lee; parents Will and Essie Neill; brothers Rob Neal and Bill Neill; and sisters Dot Lingerfelt, Marie Dover, and Bettie Whitlow.

She is survived by her children Jane McBrayer and Wesley Lee and wife Jane Steadman Lee; grandchildren Jason McBrayer and wife Tonya, Jared Lee, Sarah Beth Lee Brown and husband Kenny Brown; great grandchildren Olivia and Ryder McBrayer; and siblings Denis Neill and Christine Sellers.

Cecil M Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Mrs. Lee

Guest Registry is available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com