Louise is greeted in Heaven by her late husband, Louis (Mike), who she was married to for 54 wonderful years. Louise and Mike met at the bowling alley where they spent many years participating in league bowling, eventually bringing their children along to enjoy the atmosphere. Some of Bertha's favorite memories were playing with her Dad, taking Sunday afternoon rides with her family, and the trips to Buckroe Beach for family get-togethers. Her proudest moments included having all of her children graduate high school and her grandchildren going to college. She was also so proud of raising the sweetest, friendliest children anyone could ask for, and one thing that always brought a smile to her face was the thought of her children and grandchildren. Bertha also took great pride in her work and work ethics and an early ambition in life was to always do well with any job she was given. Bertha was the administrative manager at Hampton Social Services, the department she oversaw had seventy employees, and she only had a high school degree. Bertha also enjoyed sewing, swimming, camping, playing at the casinos, and spending time with friends. Bertha will be forever loved and missed by her family and friends. Everyone that met Louise knew how special of a person she was. She was selfless and full of love and will be greatly missed.
Bertha is survived by her son, Michael Alan Zacharias; her daughter, Debra Louise Zacharias; and her son, Nicholas Edward Zacharias; her sister, Loretta M. Smith Saul; her granddaughter, Kathleen Nicole Smith, her grandson, Christopher Allen Zacharias and her granddaughter, Maranda Nicole Gear.
Bertha was preceded in death by her husband, Louis Edward Zacharias; her father, George S. Smith (Zelma E. Sanders Smith); her sister, Virginia E. Smith Stafford and her brother, Daniel A. Smith; her grandmother, Louise Elizabeth Shepard Smith, her grandfather, Otto Monroe Smith, her grandfather, William Jennings Bryan Sanders, and her grandmother, Bertha May Sadler Sanders.
A public visitation for Bertha will be held Friday, May 17, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 2551 North Armistead Ave, Hampton, Virginia 23666. A public visitation will occur on Saturday, May 18, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at, followed by the Funeral at 10:00 AM at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 2551 North Armistead Ave, Hampton, Virginia 23666. An interment to follow the service will occur Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Hampton Memorial Gardens, 155 Butler Farm Road, Hampton, Virginia 23666. Contributions in Bertha's memory may be made to the American Kidney Fund.
