Bertha was the 2nd born of 17 children and much loved. Her parents raised her very strict and in church. God came first and then family. She met the love of her life at age 15 plowing a field with a mule in the summer 1925. She looked across the field and saw Constant Luke (21 years old)-her true and ONLY LOVE for the 1st time doing the samething- plowing a field with a mule. It was love at first sight for the both of them. Constant 6' with blue eyes stole Bertha's heart immediately. They continued their relationship by taking breaks together in the hot Georgia sun. When Hulda and George "Patrick" found out about them falling in love they forbid it so Bertha and Constant eloped on May 8, 1926. It broke Hulda and Patrick's heart that their first born daughter to eloped and no one gave Bertha away at her wedding. Bertha taught Constant to be kind, gentle, and to put God first then family. They became sharecroppers which was very hard work in the Georgia heat. They had trials and tribulations with in their 19 years of marriage: money, loss of Baby Lewis, food, and the Chaney family never accepting Constant as Bertha's husband. She delivered all of her children at home. At age 36 Bertha lived through the birth of her 8th child and named him "Luther Luke" herself. By her side was Constant's Mother Annie, his sister Bessie, and her sister in law Helen King Luke. Constant told Lonnie the oldest son to "run and fetch the doctor in town because his Momma was fading fast." Lonnie took off running, jumping over a log and Bertha sat up in bed to watch him run. Annie told Bertha to lay down and Bertha replied "I want to see Lonnie run for the last time." When Lonnie came back with the town doctor Bertha was already gone. At age 36 Bertha left 7 children behind. The three women washed and prepared her body. Annie made her a dress by hand. Jim Anderson built her casket by hand. Bertha laid in state for two days in their home. Constant never left her side and didn't sleep or eat for two days. He was deeply distraught. Jim Anderson carried her body in the back of his truck to her final resting place today at Rocky Pond Cemetery. Bertha's and Constant's BLOOD and LOVE lives on today through the eyes of their Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren. To the children Bertha was Momma and to Constant she was his "Beautiful Bertha."

Lewis Luke (Bertha's son) and Calvin Chaney (Bertha's brother) was there to help Bertha cross over.

Bertha, we knew little that morning when God called YOUR name. We love YOU dearly and in passing we do the same. It broke all of our hearts to lose YOU, but YOU did not go alone. For part of each of us went with YOU the day God called YOU home. YOU left us beautiful children, YOU set the bar high, and YOUR unconditional love is still our guide. Though we cannot see YOU, touch YOU, or smell YOU-YOU have always been by our side. Our Luke Family chain is broken and here on earth nothing seems the same. Our Luke Family chain is slowly being linked again as God slowly calls OUR names.

Lonesome Dove:
"A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him."

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Obituary: The Douglas Enterprise March 22, 1945

Mrs. Constant Luke Passes

Mrs. Constant Luke, 35 years old died at her home near Ambrose early Thursday morning and rites were conducted at Rocky Pond Friday morning. Preceded in death by her son Lewis Luke.

Survivors include her husband Constant Luke and an infant son Luther Luke a few hours old; six other children Lonnie Luke, Lucious Luke, Lowen Luke, Laxton Luke, Leston Luke, and daughter Lorene Luke of Ambrose; the following sisters and brothers, Mrs. Agnes Rowell, Mrs. Maybelle Harper, Joe Chaney, Lester Chaney, Sam Chaney, and Dub Chaney of Douglas, Georgia. Miss Mae Chaney of Broxton, Georgia. Her parents Mr. and Mrs. Pat Chaney of Douglas, Georgia survive. The Douglas Undertaking Company was in charge.

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Bertha enjoyed working in her garden. She use to pull up an onion from the ground, dust it off, and eat it like an apple.