Bertha Evelyn McQueen

Bertha Evelyn (Hicks) McQueen, born on April 18, 1930, in Jayess, Mississippi, to Reuben C. Hicks and Delushia (Powell) Hicks, peacefully entered into heaven on March 28, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona. Bertha was the second youngest daughter of eight children born into this loving family. She was raised in Mississippi where she graduated from high school and community college. Mississippi is where she gave birth to her daughter Beverly. In the early 50's Bertha and Beverly relocated to Los Angeles to be with Bertha’s four sisters.

In the sixties, Bertha’s older brother Peter lived in Seattle, Washington. She decided to relocate to Seattle to be with him. It was there that Peter introduced her to his friend, Willie McQueen who became the love of her life. Bertha and Willie soon married, beginning a cherished chapter of companionship and devotion that endured until his passing in 2002. In Seattle, Bertha enjoyed creating a loving home for Willie, working in home health care and being an active member of her church.

Following Willie’s passing, Bertha decided to join her daughter in Arizona, to be closer to family in both Arizona and California.

Bertha was kind, but she was also feisty. Although she was a small person, never weighing more than 110 pounds, that did not stop her from holding her own, even once bravely fighting off a mugging attempt, a testament to her strength, courage and determination.

In her later years, Bertha found great joy in fellowship and community. She remained active in her church and at the senior center, where she formed many close and meaningful friendships that she cherished until the very end. People were naturally drawn to her, and many came to think of her as family.

Bertha leaves behind her beloved daughter, Beverly; her grandson, Sherman; her great-grandsons, Devonte and Jason; her nephew, Don; her great-nephews, Dean, Darryl, Drexel, Don Jr. and her great-niece, Dame’. Also many who adopted her as “mother”, “grannie” or “auntie” and dear friends.

She was welcomed into heaven by her parents, Reuben and Delushia; her husband, Willie; her grandson, Jaime and her siblings, Hertha, Jessica, Ella, Lois, Peter, Wallace and Reuben Jr.

Bertha leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, and cherished memories that will continue to comfort all who knew and loved her.