Bertha Crocker Morene

Bertha Rose Crocker Morene passed peacefully into the hands of the Lord on January 5, 2021. Bertha was predeceased by her husband of 71 years, Fred C. Morene. She was also predeceased by her parents Rosa Spivey Crocker and Charles Ross Crocker and her siblings Minnie Crocker Nelms, Grace Crocker Harris, Clyde Crocker, Hurley Crocker, Raymond Crocker, Ernest Crocker, Mary Agnes Crocker, George Crocker, Eddie Crocker, and Cleveland Crocker.
Mrs. Morene is survived by her daughters, Brenda Morene Meadors (Don) of Virginia Beach, VA, Joyce Carol Morene of Richmond, VA, and Diane Morene Kinker (Lonnie) of Chesterfield, VA; grandchildren Danielle Meadors Fogarty (Tom) of Seattle, WA; Jonathan D. Kinker of Northern VA, and Kristen D. Kinker of Crystal River, FL; and great-grandson Conor Fogarty of Seattle, WA. As the youngest surviving child of a large family, Mrs. Morene was considered the matriarch of her extended family and is also survived by many dear nieces, nephews, and cousins.
To know Bertha was to love Bertha. Her famous feisty spirit, quick wit, and eccentric sense of humor left anyone who came in her path rolling in laughter and utterly in love with her. Bertha was always singing and everything she did, she did with a song. Her love for the Lord was unmatched. Her connection with the Lord was so strong that she often said the reason she was living so long was because “God says He can’t handle me yet.” She was a member of First Baptist Church, Hopewell, where she sang in the choir for 72 years and served as a deaconess, Sunday school teacher, and leader for the Girls Auxiliary.
Bertha Morene was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. The love between her and her husband was truly something so rare and beautiful. They had their ups and downs, but they went through it all holding hands and singing “It Had to be You” and “I love you a bushel and a peck.” She raised three strong wonderful daughters and showered her three grandchildren and her great grandson with unconditional love. She enjoyed photography and art and was a talented seamstress. Her beautifully decorated birthday cakes were also a beloved tradition in the family.
Mrs. Morene, with her husband, Fred, lived most of their lives in Hopewell, VA. Along with being an extremely active member of First Baptist Church of Hopewell, she was also active in community activities including serving as Chair of the Tri-City Christian Women’s Club and member of the Junior Women’s Club. Mrs. Morene graduated from Hopewell High School, obtained her license in real estate, and served as a secretary in the office at Hopewell High School. In 2011, Fred and Bertha established the Fred C. and Bertha C. Morene Scholarship through the John Randolph Foundation to assist students who are pursuing their educational dreams.
In the last several years of her life Mrs. Morene lived at The Towers Retirement and Assisted Living Facility in Richmond, VA. After her husband died in May 2017, Mrs. Morene remained active in the community at The Towers where she was loved by many of the staff and residents. The family would like to thank the staff of The Towers for their care and support of Mrs. Bertha over the years. A special thank you is made to Jackie and Norma, two staff members who served Mrs. Bertha daily with love and devotion.
A graveside burial service for immediate family will be held on Saturday, January 9th at Appomattox Cemetery in Hopewell, VA. A celebration of life service for Mrs. Morene will be held later when the rafters of her church can be filled with music. In memory of Mrs. Morene, contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, Hopewell or to the Fred C. and Bertha C. Morene Scholarship Fund at the John Randolph Foundation of Hopewell, VA. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com .