On January 24, 1935, a beautiful baby girl named Bertha Mae was born to Josephine Holiday and Roy Durst, Sr. In 1953, Bertha graduated with Honors from A.T. Barefield High School.

Bertha was the wife of Jesse Jones, Sr. and mother of eight beautiful children. She became a beautician, with a career spanning over 60 years. When she wasn’t doing hair, she was working as a nurse assistant at Refugio Manor in Refugio, Texas.

Bertha accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized at a very early age. She was a devoted member of Progressive Second Baptist, and later New Light Baptist Church of Woodsboro. She held the Church Clerk position for both churches for many years. Because Bertha was an articulate speaker and a strong writer, she was often called upon to speak at various church events. She was self-taught to play the piano with relative pitch (by ear), as further testament of her dedication and willingness to serve others.

Bertha thoroughly enjoyed cooking and baking for her loved ones. Bertha loved to play softball where she held the position as the team’s renowned pitcher. She loved spending quality time with her family, and watching classic westerns, soap operas, sports and Sunday morning church services. She liked to play games of chance like Bingo, Pokeno, Scratch offs, and Life of Luxury slot machine. Bertha always looked forward to her birthdays, so she could open her greeting cards and shake out the money. Having the gifted money pinned on her blouse was always the highlight for her as she’d excitedly exclaim, “Hand’chit here!”

On October 15, 2026, at the age of 91 years old, Bertha made her transition from earth while at her home. She was proceeded in death by her parents, Roy and Josephine Durst; husband, Jesse Jones, Sr; brothers, Ray and Earl Durst, Roscoe Johnson; sisters, Elnora Roundtree and Fannie Charleston; son, Reggie Durst; stepdaughter, Lucille Jones; and step granddaughter, Royce Barr.

She left to cherish her memories: brothers, Roy Durst Jr. and John Durst Sr. (Woodsboro, TX); Daughters, Sandra Jones (Richmond, Texas); Connie Hayes (Victoria, TX); Sharon Durst (Woodsboro, TX); Sons, Jesse Jones Jr. (Selma / Portland, TX), Matthew Jones Sr. (Woodsboro, TX), and stepdaughter, Zola Nash (Dallas, TX). Additionally, there are 20 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, 9 great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.