Bertha Brown

Bertha Katherine Opalenik Brown was born on December 22, 1929, to parents Julia and John Opalenik, both immigrants from Czechoslovakia. She and her twin brother, Peter, had 12 older siblings. Bertha grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania, and lived there until her marriage to Kenneth Brown. Through his job as a manager of a five and dime store, they were transferred to many different states, among them Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, and finally Georgia. The Browns had four children and later adopted a grandson when their own children were grown.
Bertha was a Catholic and faithfully attended church until she no longer could drive. She was a homemaker when her children were young and later worked in various jobs. Her hobbies included reading, coin collecting, and embroidering.
Bertha passed away on December 2, 2017, at Sacred Journey Hospice, McDonough, GA. She is preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Brown; her twin sons, Stephen and Joseph Brown; her parents, and all of her brothers and sisters. Surviving are her son, Patrick Brown (Dorothy); adopted son/grandson, Joseph Brown (Denise); daughter, Susan Miller (Mike); grandchildren, Patrick Miller (Kim), Stephanie Nix, and Michael Miller (Tammy); great-grandchildren, Joseph Brown, Sam Miller (Whitley), Jonah Miller, Jillian Nix, and Elliott Miller; sister-in-law, Lola Wasson; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held at Floral Hills Memorial Garden in Gulfport, MS, on December 6, 2017. RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, Gulfport, is serving the family.
An online guest book may be signed and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com