Bertha Mae Page affectionately known as “Bea” exchanged her earthly body for her heavenly one on October 5, 2021, at the age of 84 in Tacoma, Washington. She was born in Columbia, South Carolina on December 6, 1936, to Edward Taylor and Annie Williams. She was the middle child of Annie’s 7 children. In her teens, she moved to Harlem New York with her Uncle Willie Taylor and Aunt Rosalee Dailey.
She and Cousin Betty could be seen up and down Lenox Ave. The two were inseparable. In the spring of 1965 she moved to St. Thomas, USVI with her husband, Calvin Lloyd. There she worked for the Department of Roads and Division as the head secretary. Although she was a transplant, she became very involved in the island life. She made friends very quickly. She hosted fundraisers for local politicians. She made friends with calypsonians that came from the various islands to perform. Her husband Calvin asked her one time “how do you know these people? I was born here and don’t even know them.” She enjoyed listening to music and dancing, but her love was singing. She had a beautiful voice. Even into her 80s she had a strong clear voice. You could hear singing along with songs playing on Pandora and Spotify.
In 1978, relocated to Tacoma, Washington where she met and married the late Leroy Page. She worked as a CAN at Viewcrest Nursing Home. She then found employ with Clover Park School District. She worked at both Lochburn and Hudtloff Middle Schools. She worked with developmentally disabled teens. She loved the kids she worked with. They were a second family to her.
She joined Mt. Sinai Deliverance Church and became a member of the choir. Her songs she led were “I Cried, and I Cried” and “I Got a Bible”. She then joined Pilgrim Rest Baptist church where she met Mrs. Wilma Askew-Tingle. The friendship started with Bea asking, “Where did you get that hat?” After that, they became fast friends. The two spent many Saturdays shopping, thrifting and garage sale hopping. She had found a partner. They went through good times and bad times together.
Christmas was her favorite holiday. She would start decorating the day after Thanksgiving. She’d have a Christmas tree with lights, bulbs, tinsel, angel hair and angel on the top. Christmas music would be ringing through the house. She loved to host parties, but Christmas parties were her favorite.
She believed in working hard for what she wanted and once she set her mind to it, there was no stopping her. Her grandchildren called her “OGG” – the “Original Gangsta Granny”. You never wondered what she was thinking because she would tell in no uncertain terms. She loved her family, and down through the years her house was a haven for many. She was the life of the party. Her sense of humor and wit will be missed.
Bertha was preceded in death by her parents, Edward Taylor, and Annie Williams, 3 brothers, George Williams, Frank Moore Jr, & _William (I need to double check this) Moore, 3 sisters Virginia Taylor, Mary Daughtry and Carolyn Talbort, and her son Robert B. Smith (Diane).
She leaves to cherish her memory her son Jimmy Smith of Tacoma, WA, her daughter Shawn Harris of Tacoma, Washington, 4 grandsons, Dondee, Shawn, Robair and Daniel, 6 granddaughters, Nikisha, Kiesha, Nikah, Cal-jean and Ebony, 8 great-grandchildren, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
Visistation Thursday, October 21, 2021 3pm-6pm at Scott Funeral Home
Memorial Service Friday, October 22, 2021 1pm Mt Sinai Deliverance Church
3516 S D St, Tacoma, WA 98418
Burial Monday, October 25, 2021 Fort Lawton Post Cemetery Discovery Park BLVD Seattle, WA 98199
RIP. Will miss you Auntie.
Hi auntie Bea I 💕 u so so so much I’m so glad I was able to hear your voice on the phone 😂 it was tears off joy 😂 when I get that phone call I just new it was not good news I can from taken your great niece to school the youngest one you spoke on phone too you will always be in our hearts 💕 I think off you each and everyday I still have you program in my phone I’m glad I was able to talk and hear your voice it’s not the same now I have nobody to call auntie but you are in my heart always and for every your my world my 💜 my every thing R.I.p. I will see you when I get to heaven I’m coming for my hug and my kiss 💋😘 I’m going to miss all those and all the good food I love you so so so much and so many way 💕 TT YOUR NIECE AND YOUR GREAT NIECES AND NEPHEW MIGUEL,KAIYAA,SHAVEYA WE 💕 AND GOING TO MISS YOU SO MUCH SWEET DREAMS AUNTIE.