Bertha Napier

Today, it is our wish that you will celebrate with us this extraordinary woman who has inevitably touched the hearts and lives of so many people. Bertha Napier was 92 when she passed away on Tuesday, April 26, 2023, with a gospel track in her hand. Those that knew her, loved her. She was a constant burning flame for Jesus that was impossible to extinguish or hide.

Bertha was born in Stoney Fork, KY on November 11, 1930, to her parents, Dewey and Martha Jane Saylor Brock who loved her and her 8 siblings. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Colson Napier; loving son and daughter-in-law, Glen and Nancy Napier; grandson, Keith Napier; great grandson, Ethan Napier; and her 8 siblings: sisters, Gladys Brock, Cordia Saylor, Pat Sumpter, Stella Gambrell, Reva Mills, and brothers, Walter, Custer, and Elijah Brock.

Bertha is survived by her children, Colson (Sherry) Napier, Millard (Debbie) Napier, Verlene (Russell) Bartholomew, Darlene (Bob) Long, Betty (Jim) Hobbs, Peggy (Don) Gibson, Brenda (Billy) Ferguson, and DeAnna (Russ) Dillingham; and a daughter-in-law, Shelby Jean Napier. She has 15 grandchildren, Brian (Rhea), Chucky (Theresa), Nicholas (Sarah), and Kevin (Kristen) Napier; April Napier-Paul (Dusty) and Kim (Casey) Watkins, Jerome Leger, Corey (Heather) Napier and Michele (Jeff) Sziksai; Russ Allen (Shelly) Bartholomew; Shawn Vaught and Chasity (Aws) Al-Sallami; Sarah (Bo) Hawkins and Hannah (Ryan) Hackworth; and Cody and Breanna Ferguson. She also has 17 precious great grandchildren, Emily, Jacob, Nathan, Cameron, Colton, Natalie, Mason, Madox, Madelyn, Luke, Mia, Joseph, Brody, Keagan, Sophia, Kennidy, and Avery, as well as a host of many other family, friends, and acquaintances.

Proverbs 31 says “Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. She brings good all the days of her life. She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work. She is energetic, strong, and a hard worker. Her hands stay busy spinning thread, she extends her hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy. She makes her own bedspreads. When she speaks her words are wise. Her children stand and bless her”.

There will never be someone to tread this earth that has carried those attributes as closely as Bertha Brock Napier. She is revered by all as a very loving, kind, and Godly woman with a servant’s heart, always putting others above herself.

She could often be found in her kitchen cooking a meal or in her garden worshipping her Heavenly Father. Bertha grew to love quilting at a young age and has made many quilts for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and friends. She spent many hours using her fingers to sew stitches as her heart and soul sewed prayers and praises into heaven. Among her gifts of sewing, she also learned at a very young age to cook for large families. She was most famous for her fried apple pies.

It brought her much joy to provide a warm meal for anyone who stepped foot insider her house. She always kept her hands busy working and spent many days outside growing food for her family or hanging laundry to dry.

Although she can be remembered for all these gifts and talents there is one that stands out above the rest, her will to learn to read God’s word. At the early age of seven, Bertha’s mother passed away leaving eight children and a husband to grieve her passing. With a lot of hard work in trying to survive, she only attended school until the second grade. One day, she took her father’s bible and hide away on a rock. As the bible was opened in front of her, she made the promise to God that if he would teach her to read, she would read his Word and serve him all the days of her life. She gave her heart to Jesus and from that day forward she grew to love the Lord with all her soul, heart, and mind. From the first light of day, she would sit by her window to read and give thanks and could often be heard singing hymns her garden and praying all throughout the day. He engulfed every part of her being and they walked side by side until she took her last breath.

Her cup grew full, and she continually poured out onto others. Every person she encountered, friend, family, stranger, or foe heard her testimony and plea to give their hearts to Jesus. She longed to one day fill up heaven with every person she had encountered.

She has left behind a legacy to her immediate and extended family. She gave her life to be sure that her children, and her children’s children would serve the Lord every day of their lives. Her life was not always easy, but she has always shown great strength, courage, and dignity as a true Warrior.

Death will not have its sting. For lift your eyes to heaven. She is standing Boldy at the Gates of Heaven waiting for you to FINISH STRONG.

Visitation will be Friday, April 28, 2023, starting at 5:00 PM at Arnett & Steele Funeral Home. Funeral will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday at Old Straight Creek Trinity Tabernacle - both located in Pineville, KY. Burial will follow in the Pinelawn Memorial Gardens. Ministers from Old Straight Creek Trinity Tabernacle will be conducting the service. Music will be provided by her family, and James Roark.

Arnett & Steele Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Pineville is honored to serve the Napier Family. Light a candle of remembrance and sign the guest register at www.arnettsteele.com.