Bertha Lee

Dewalt

Bertha Lee Brown-DeWalt, 88, departed this life on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at home with family. Born on February 18, 1938, in Jonestown, Mississippi, Bertha moved to Toledo at 16 years of age. While working at the State Hospital for several years, she went to night school and earned her GED. She attended the University of Toledo where she achieved an associate's degree in communications. During the graduation ceremony, she earned an award as the Most Conscientious Student of her class. Not long after graduating, she was hired at Lott Industries and really enjoyed working there. After working for a few years at Lott Industries, Bertha was hired at GM Powertrain in 1978. She worked there for a couple of years and then there was a big layoff. By then, her brother, Melvin Brown, Sr, had joined the Minority Contractors Association and started his own construction company called Mel Brown Trucking. While laid off, she began working as the bookkeeper at her brother's construction company. She worked for her brother for about two years, then she finally got the call in 1982 to return to GM.

Bertha was proud to have a home that had a big, beautiful yard. She spent hours at a time planting flowers and loved cutting her own grass, which would have the sharpest edges ever. More than flowers, she loved music. She especially loved the Blues. If she heard BB King or Johnnie Taylor, she would immediately start singing and dancing. But what Bertha LOVED the most was her family. She was determined to stay connected, bring her family together, and keep up the family traditions. Spending time with her family brought her immense joy.

Bertha was preceded in death by her parents, Aubrey and Bessie Brown, one brother, Melvin Brown, Sr., four sisters, Mildred Brown, Dorothy Ambrose, Cindy Fay Edwards, and Lucille Julion; and a niece, Albertha Louise Brown-Ham.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her daughter, Pamela (Nolan) DeWalt Hych; grandchildren, Devin and Destinee Sample, three sisters, Hazel Martin, Katie Brown, Maryetta (James) Henderson, one brother, Aubrey (Betty) Brown, Jr.; a special cousin, Albert "Red" Brown, Sr., and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.