Berta Mae Winchester Clark, 95, of Pickens, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on October 1, 2021. Wife of the late Milton Leon Clark and daughter of the late June and Willoughby “Good” Winchester, she was born in Pickens County and lived there joyously her entire life.
A dedicated member of Mountain View Baptist Church, Mrs. Clark raised a family, worked at Singer Manufacturing Company, and cared for a colony of cats.
Known as “MamaBert” by her loving grandchildren and great grandchildren, she was full of grit and grace and liked to stay active and helpful. When you stopped by her house on a hot summer day, you’d find her tending to her dazzling flower beds and productive vegetable gardens. When she saw you coming, she stopped immediately to greet you and offer the perfect glass of sweet tea and a plate of freshly baked cookies or cake.
She looked forward to fall trips to the mountain to get apples which she transformed into delicious cakes, pies and apple butter. A pro at putting food by, she froze and canned the produce from her garden and showed her love to family and friends by preparing legendary meals.
Another passion was local history. She loved taking people out to the Old Pickens historic site near the Keowee River and imparting her knowledge of the area’s history. Known for her expertise, she was interviewed by Clemson students who were researching the area’s past for a school project. She was reverent and appreciative of the good old days, though she recognized how different and hardscrabble those times were by once telling a grandchild in a witty way that the present time “is the good old days!”
Mrs. Clark is survived by daughter June Bowers (J. Connie) and son David Clark (Vicki); grandchildren Joseph Bowers (Beth); John Bowers (Paula); Suzanne Reed; Steven Clark; Will Clark (Brittany); Casey Jo Hitt Cooperman (Eric); great grandchildren Cassidy Bowers, Asher Bowers, Stella Bowers, Lail Bowers, and Phoenyx Reed. She is predeceased by brothers Don Winchester and Clyde Winchester and sisters Ruth Saad, Rubye Mann and Erelene Mann.
Graveside funeral service will be Thursday, October 7 at Mountain View Baptist Church at 2 PM. The family will greet friends following the service.
Memorials may be made to Mountain View Baptist Church, 336 Mountain View Church Road, Six Mile, SC 29682.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.dillardfunerals.com. Dillard Funeral home is assisting the family with arrangements.
