Bertha Louise (Dempsey) Wright

New York, NY

Bertha Louise Long Wright (née Dempsey), known to her family and friends as, "Bert," was born on

December 25th, 1943 in Williamston, NC. She was considered by her parents to be an amazing Christmas gift.

Bertha was educated in the Williamston, NC school system. In 1961 at age 17, she relocated to New York City,

where she attended Washington Irving High School in Manhattan. She gave birth to two sons,

Wilmer and William, before meeting and marrying her husband, Billie Wright in 1967.

Their union saw the birth of their daughter, Tabatha.

A wife raising three young kids, Bertha was a remarkable homemaker and returned to the workforce

when her children got older. In 1990, she retired as a desk receptionist, a position she held for

many years, at the apartment building she resided in for over 40 years.

Despite Bertha's long history of health challenges, she would never let that discourage her or those around her.

She was so full of life and cherished every moment she spent with her family and friends. She had an amazingly,

uplifting spirit, was kind, gentle, loving and selfless. One of her favorite things to say was, "If I have it,

then you have it." If it was in her power to DO for someone, she DID IT without hesitation. And talk about

amazing resilience - as ill as she often was, she always rallied back and miraculously recovered.

She may have been tiny, but she was mighty!

Anyone that knew Bertha knows how much she loved the Lord and was His devoted servant.

She was an active member of Greater Central Baptist Church, attended Sunday School, sang on the Jubilee,

Sanctuary and Mass Choirs, and spent a brief time as the Sick Fund coordinator for the Sanctuary Choir.

One of Bertha's final wishes was to get well enough to return to worship at church, deliver her testimony of faith,

strength and courage and sing the song that was always on her

heart, “I’m Still Here.” Although she did not get a chance to do that on earth, we know and pray

that she will fulfill this wish in the presence of Our Savior.

Bertha was called from earth to glory on Wednesday, May 13, 2020. Her life was a true gift to us all and we

were so blessed to have her among us for as long as we did. Now, her pain and suffering are over.

Bertha was preceded in death by her mother, Annie Mae Long, her stepfather, William N. Long,

her stepbrother, Charles S. Andrews and her oldest son, Wilmer L. Long. She leaves behind her husband, Billie Wright,

her son and his wife, William C. and Johanna Long, her daughter and her husband, Tabatha and Anthony Winfield,

her aunt, Nell Dempsey, her stepbrothers John “Buddy” Williams and Ervin L. Purvis, her stepsister

Della “Pig” Jones, her seven grandchildren, Tamiesha Long, Louis Long, Gabrielle Long, Danielle Long, Courtney Long,

William Long, Jr. and Sarah-Ann Long, and a host of cousins, extended family, church family and friends.

Her walk through viewing will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2020 from 10:00 am until 11:00 am at Manson

Mortuary in Williamston, NC.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, her funeral service will be by invitation only.  Her funeral service will be held

on Saturday, May 23, 2020 at 11:30 am at Manson Mortuary Chapel in Williamston, NC,

with Elder Deborah Fonville officiating.

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions by Governor Roy Cooper, the interment will be

by invitation only also.

The service will be live streamed through "Facebook Live".  If you want to see it live streamed,

go to Facebook at 10:55 am. Go to Manson Mortuary Facebook page and click on the page.