1932-2015 |
Bertha Vining Oden was born on June 9, 1932 tot he late Monroe Vining and Louise Hill Vining in St. Helena Parish. God decided that he needed a beautiful flower to add to his garden so on the morning of September 29, 2015, he called her home where the sweet fragrance of her blossom could be enjoyed by Heaven's Host. Her family and all who knew her have been left with a vid caused by the pain of such a great loss of one who was so loving and dear to them, yet through it all we give thanks to God for having allowed us to share in a life that was beautiful and loving as her's.
Sister Bertha joined Little Bethel Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Willard Vernon. She later attended Butler A.M.E. Zion Church with her niece and great nieces, most recently during her time of illness, she insisted on going to New Hope Baptist Church with her great great nieces until she was hospitalized. Sister Bert leaves to cherish her precious memories: one sister, Mattie Butler of New Orleans, Louisiana; four children she raised as her own, Latoya, Daniel and David Butler all of Amite, Louisiana; Kim Muyaka of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; five God-children, Fred Vining of Pontiac, Michigan, Carolyn Watts of San Diego, California, Tyrone Butler of New Orleans, Louisiana, Melvin Martin, Jr., of Baton Rouge, Louisiana., Bradley Nichols of Fort Drum, New York; great/caregiver whom she lived with Mertrell Butler of Amite, Louisiana; great niece, Sheila Addison and great-great nieces, Nikalya Battiste and Nicole Butler who also cared for her as she endured good and bad days; two uncles, Wesley and Charles Vining of New Orleans, Louisiana; one aunt, Betty Jean Nicholson of Houston, Texas. A host of sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Sister Bert was preceded in death by her husband, Allison Oden, Jr., her parents, Monroe and Louise Vining, six brothers: Adam, Vercey, Ercey, Johnny, Willie and Monore; four sisters, Georgia, Lillie, Ethel Mae and Ruby and a beloved niece and nephew, Dorothy Dell Addison and Raymond Vining.