Bertha Etta Kerrens

Bertha Etta (Robertson) Kerrens was born in Carbondale, Illinois on October 23, 1956, to the union of Vernell and Mary Frances (Daniels) Robertson. She was one of fourteen children. God called her home on April 11, 2014 at the age of 57. Bertha Etta was educated in Carbondale, Illinois, and remained in the area in order to be close to her family. She accepted Christ as her personal savior under the leadership of Pastor Judy Patterson of Murphysboro, Illinois, and she was a faithful member of Murphysboro's Light House Ministries. Everyone that knew Bertha Etta knew that she loved the Lord, because she ministered to all that would listen. After leaving her supervisory position in the hotel industry, she chose to do God's work by entering the health care field, where she could share her warm and soothing spirit with those in need. This angel of mercy was employed by Addus Health Care and later by the State of Illinois as a home health aide, and fulfilled this mission for nearly 20 years. She opened her heart to the troubled, the afraid, the desperate, and to those simply in need, and allowed God to use her to enrich their lives and lift their spirits. This precious woman frequently referred to herself as an imperfect rose, because she knew God wasn't finished with her yet. She never understood how she was the one to whom her family always seemed to turn for bringing the family together and inspiring closeness and harmony, but she graciously accepted the responsibility. She had a strong sense of family, and we demonstrated our appreciation by making her the honorary leader of the Robertson clan. She was an avid generational yard sale shopper, who was considered by her family the "Yard Sale Queen". Her fondness for yard sales made her eccentric; her God-fearing ways, made her admirable. Bertha Etta was united in holy matrimony to Victor Kerrens on August 14, 1993, in Murphysboro, Illinois. They have been married for twenty years. Other survivors include seven children Ira Crook and her husband Germaine Crook, Irene Robertson, Stanley Harper, Jr. and Maurice Harper, all of Murphysboro, Aaron Porter of Marion, Victor Dione Cole, Chrissy Cole and Martez Cole, all of Murphysboro; twenty six grandchildren, four great grandchildren and two great grandchildren on the way; seven sisters Brenda Pierce of Richton Park, IL, Sandra (Kenneth) Mason of Carbondale, Sharon (Freddie) Pullen of Cape Girardeau, MO, Marcella (Robert) Taylor of Paducah, KY, Francine (Andrew) Fonck of Carbondale, Canasta Tanzy of Murphysboro, and Lydia (Leonard) Bowen of Carbondale; four brothers Vernell Robertson, Jr. of Belleville, Ronald (Margie) Robertson of Washington, D.C., Anthony (Jennie) Robertson of Pekin, IL, and Ardell Robertson of Bloomington, IL; her mother in law Ettarene Kerrens of Murphysboro; five sisters in law Dorthea Richardson of Murphysboro, Greta Foster of Rockford, IL, Carla (Joey) Jones, Angela (Dr. Rev. James E.) Jackson, and Lynn Montgomery, all of Murphysboro; five brothers in law Duwan Kerrens of Battle Creek, MI, Bryon Kerrens and Rickey Kerrens, both of Rockford, IL, Louis Kerrens and Tony (Kelly) Kerrens, all of Murphysboro; a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and a host of special friends and family who will forever love and miss her. She was preceded in death by her parents, one daughter Veronica Harper, two brothers Spencer Robertson and Lavern Robertson, her father in law Roger Kerrens, and a brother in law Thomas Kerrens. Her body was cremated and a Memorial Service will be held 12 noon Saturday, April 26, 2014, at the 1st Presbyterian Church in Murphysboro, with Dr. Rev. James E. Jackson, PhD. and Rev. Judy Patterson officiating. For more information, please visit www.pettettfuneralhome.com. Her legacy is the closeness her family has realized as a result of her efforts, and knowing that we will try to carry out her mission of unity will allow her to rest in peace. Bertha Etta is gone, but not forgotten, and we feel blessed to have had her in our family and in our lives.

Bertha Etta Kerrens

October 22, 1956 - April 12, 2014