December 18, 2010

Bertha Lee Council Gary, 96, of 1053 Pitchkettle Road, Suffolk, Va., died on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010 in Sentara Obici Hospital. She was a native of Robertsonville, N.C., and the daughter of the late Joseph Council and Nina Brown Council. She was predeceased by her late husband, Norman W. Gary; three daughters, Ruth L. Paige, Kay F. Hassell, and Margaret Ricks; a son, Joseph N. Gary; a sister, Lerlene Lloyd; and her brothers, Seth, Leo, and Levi Council.

She attended the Robertsonville School in Bertie County, N.C. She was a member of the Missouri Baptist Church for over 60 years where she served as church mother, member of the Deaconess Board, and on the Loving Care Kitchen Committee as long as her health permitted.

Mrs. Gary cared for the home and family of Attorney J. Lewis Rawls Jr. and Mary Helen Rawls for many years. She reared their children, attorney Frank M. Rawls, Judge Rebecca Habel and J. Lewis Rawls III.

She leaves to cherish her memory: a daughter, Ella Pearl Gary Mabrey; a devoted great-granddaughter, Devon G. Holliman, of Columbia, S.C.; grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives, to include a brother-in-law, James W. Baker, and sister-in-law, Edna Council. She also leaves devoted nephews, Robert Lee Council, Robert Lloyd Jr. and Suffragan Bishop Madison G. Copeland; and adopted son and daughter, Moses and Virginia Bowers; and lifelong friends, Thomas and Minnie Scott and Vernon and Geraldine Waters.

A funeral service will be held at noon, Monday, Dec. 27, 2010 in Missouri Baptist Church, 2020 Lake Cohoon Road, Suffolk, with the Rev. Ronnie Boone officiating. Interment will be in Carver Memorial Cemetery. Viewing will begin at noon on Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010. Crocker Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.crockerfuneralhome.com.