Bertha Ross Fountain

A bit of History about Mrs. Bertha Fountain

On Saturday, January 14, 1939, the 1st child was born to her father, Nathaniel Ross and mother, Alberta Kelley Ross. Bertha Ross made her entrance into the Earth and begin her life’s journey. Named Bertha Lee Ross after her father’s sister, she had strong characteristics of her father Nathaniel who spoke with authority and convinced individuals to do what was right and to always show respect and integrity. The kind, compassionate, no-nonsense mother led by example and also was a strong woman of faith in God. Her mother who stood short in stature but was tall when a task needed to be accomplished was emulated by Bertha and her younger sister, Mary.

She had two exemplary statures as parents and grew up with the patience of Job when she needed to make decisions about anything. There were many times, she would actually consider buying something, even though it was on sale, she would state that she needed to go home and think about it first. If it was not there, it would not be for her. If it was, then it was for her.

There were many family members that were close in the country, in Canton, Madison County, Mississippi. Whenever the conversation would come up, she would often say how dark it was at night and that she would never go there to live again if they paid her a million dollars! Her cousin Jarlean had agreed and stated the same. Her sister, Mary agreed that it would be very, very dark and how they and their mother, “Ma” would go fishing at night. Not their Daddy but their mother, Mrs. Alberta Kelley Ross. It was so dark, you could not see your hands in front your face, was a fact, not a theory. Another great story was how she left the country. After Bertha had her first child, Brenda, she vowed that she would leave the country; to live in the city and she did. But her parents would not let her take her baby so, after moving with Aunt Ora Kelley and her daughter, Jarlean in Jackson, Miss she set out to get her a job. She found a job soon after moving. Now she needed to get her own place and get her baby, which she did.

During all this, she met a handsome young man named Tommie Lee Fountain. They met through his oldest sister, Rosie Mae Payton-Fountain and they soon fell in love. They had a baby daughter, named Patricia and of course they had to make sure they were living right, so matrimony was inevitable. They married on January 19th. So, now there were 2 young daughters. Shortly after their marriage her husband relocated to Houston, Texas because her brother-in-law, Creed Fountain encouraged her husband that there where great job opportunities and a better way of life for families.

Bertha soon followed her husband after he found a great job, so now she needed to find a home for her family in the great boom town, Houston, Texas. When she had everything ready, she would travel back to get her girls, Brenda and Patricia and reunited with her husband. She was such a go getter and working was such a privilege that provided better opportunities for growth in every aspect of her life, marriage, and even helping other family members and friends, when it was needed. She was dedicated and a very compassionate woman.

The last few years after health challenges, she would not be able to attend church in person, but she still would get her worship and praise through live streaming. She was a faithful and committed follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. She gave her life to Jesus Christ at an early age, and was baptized at Stokes Chapel Baptist Church in Flora, MS. Bertha had served as a long-time church member and was a devoted choir member and usher at New Brighter Star Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. She joined New Faith Church and was a member for about 20 years.

She was educated through the Madison County School district and always wanted to go to college and become a history teacher or fashion designer. Those were some of her dreams. She always stated that history was always so interesting to her. Take a basketball game and the star player. Now, she could tell you about his background more so than what his average in scoring was or how this man started his business back in 1900 and later his family fought to keep it going and now it was named “this or that’ because that happened. Bertha did return to school and earned her certification as a Cosmetology specialist.

She worked at 12 Oaks Hospital in Houston Texas about 20 years and retired. Because of her love of fashion, she also worked in retail as a part time sales person for so many years, but she had a yearning to go back to work full time and began working at Christine Valmy in the Galleria area of Houston about 20 years and then moved with them to the Houstonian Spa and Club where she worked several years. While working for Christine Valmy, she received the opportunity to go back to school for further education and growth in a new industry, so she attended school for a long time while working part time, but she eventually finished. You see, she was never a quitter. Now, she had to prepare for her Board Exam and the person who was right with her was her favorite niece, Gail Lane all the way to Austin, Texas. She passed her exam and continued working at the Spa, now Trellis Spa at the Houstonian until her health challenges became almost a constant. The strength of a woman, that is Bertha because she finally retired when she was 81 years of age.

Bertha was still strong in her faith in God. However, her ability to fight back and get her physical strength to work again, even part time, would not be so. But the brutal truth was there was another storm just waiting and she was diagnosed with cancer that had already spread throughout her body like a wildfire. Oh, she fought and kept her faith, but her body gave out, she never gave up. We are writing about her diagnosis because everyone that is fighting cancer, been through cancer, etc. families and friends should know that we understand and pray for you also. Bertha would want to tell you this, because it may save someone else’s life, so get checked, get your physicals, listen to your body and be your own advocate. Listen to your body and listen to that whisper inside because God is always sending us messages. It’s a message for you! Bertha loved, loved, loved her family and friends. She was going to make time for anyone who needed her. Even sick when she could talk, she still would take the time to listen to you even in pain.

She leaves to cherish her memory and love; daughters, Brenda Prevot and her husband Paul, Patricia Thomas and her husband Anthony. Paul and Anthony were her son in laws, but she treated them like they were her sons, with so much love and it was definitely returned to her. Grandsons; Travez Manning and his wife, Johnelle and her other heartbeat, grandson DeShaun Thomas. She had 6 great grandchildren; Amari, Jaylon, Mason, Coby, Cameron and Kayden. She was also blessed with other grands; Nicole, Brandy and La ’Keitha and great grands Brandon, Jakia, and Kynese that she absolutely loved and adored.

She also leaves to cherish and love her sister, Mary Ross from Jackson, MS, niece Gail Lane of Rosharon, Texas and 3 nephews; Sylvester Gatlin Jr. (Sherita) of Houston, TX Ronnie Earl Ross (Laredia) of Richmond, TX and Henry Gary Ross (Ledora) of Jackson, MS, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Creed Fountain and Diane Bingham of Houston, TX and many more relatives near and far. Her special cousin Jarlean Kelley Adams of Jackson, MS and her close friends, Juanita Neal of Las Vegas, NV, Marie Hearld of Houston, TX and Frank Brown of Jackson, MS. She truly treasured and loved her longtime friends. One of her dearest friend Larry Conkleton of Belton, TX preceded her in death.

Besides family, fashion, and fellowship she also loved adventure. She went on a cruise in 2019 and oh my goodness, was she waiting to go in 2023. She also loved to do holiday cooking and decorating the tree with all the adornments. She always made her famous cornbread dressing at Thanksgiving and Christmas, sweet potato pies and pound cakes. Her favorite cake was Coconut and her favorite pies was Key lime, Buttermilk and Sweet Potato. Bertha would bake several sweet potato pies and after dinner, you may eat a slice or two, but she would always have enough pies baked so that each family member or friend could take a whole pie home. She was famous for her peach cobblers and sweet candied yams. At Easter or Resurrection Sunday, it was always about dying 5 or 6 dozen eggs and she was able to bond with at least one of her family members, every year, starting from her daughters, grandsons, and great grandchildren. Bertha enjoyed her life, her family, her co-workers, fashion, and her glass of red wine. Bertha was even a Sorority Sister by Honor with the Halos’ Sorority of Houston; and she enjoyed being a part of this sisterhood.

Rest well in Jesus Christ’s everlasting arms until we all meet again! God knows that you are already missed so much and it really hurts, but we know you are at peace. God is gracious and kind. Your purpose was served. Job well done!

Your family!

A tribute and visitation for Bertha will be held Thursday, December 29, 2022 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Forest Park South Funeral Home, 12650 Shadow Creek Parkway, Pearland, TX 77584. A funeral service will be held Friday, December 30, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at New Faith Church, 4315 W Fuqua Street, Houston, TX 77045. A visitation and committal service will be held at Stokes Chapel Baptist Church and Cemetery, 902 Stokes Road, Flora, MS 39071 at a later date.