Bertha Mae "Bert" Celestine-Bradford

Bertha Mae "Bert" Celestine-Bradford, 75,  took God's hand on December 7,  2022. Bertha was born February 12, 1947, to the union of Isaiah Celestine and Ola Mae Celestine.

She was preceded in death by her father, Isaiah Celestine; mother, Ola Mae Harbin; stepfather, John W. Harbin; sisters, Marcia Lacy, and Cherita Jo Celestine; stepdaughter, Marquita Simmons; and friend, Rheatha Moore.

Bertha was baptized at a young age. She later became a member of Mariah Walker A.M.E. Church, Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church, and Concord Fortress of Hope where she was a member until her homegoing.

Bertha was a lifelong resident of Kansas City, Missouri. As a result of an AT&T transfer, she also spent four years in Oakland, California before relocating back to Kansas City, Missouri  in 1982.

She graduated from Central High School in 1965, home of  the Mighty Blue Eagles. After graduating she attended Penn Valley Community College where she earned an associate degree in Business Administration. She began employment with AT&T through a work study program in her senior year of high school. Bertha embarked on her career with AT&T that spanned well over 30 years before retirement, utilizing her degree to elevate her career. An amazing work-ethic, Bertha also was employed by H&R Block  as a Tax Preparer and Office Supervisor for 15 years prior to retiring from AT&T. She had a photographic memory for numbers and detail.

Bertha was united in marriage to Curtis Williams in 1966. To this union was born one daughter, Chanel Williams. She had one grandson "Maurice" her pride and joy. She later married Terry Bradford in 1989.

Known as a woman of substance, she took great pride in her classy style and appearance. Bert was a social butterfly who loved mingling with family and friends. Her love of travel and adventure took her to iconic destinations like Germany, Switzerland, Paris, Amsterdam, Holland, and Czechoslovakia.

She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Chanel Williams;  brothers, Donald Celestine, Ronald Celestine (Carolyn), Marshall "Stevie" Celestine, and Brian Huey; sisters, Clara Powell (Benny), and Angela Harbin; grandson, Darryl Maurice Brown, Jr.; stepson, Roosevelt Thompson; special friends, Sherdella Sims, Bernita Carr, Linda Brown, Joyce Peoples, Joanie Johnson, Tillie Conroe, and  Phylliss Jackson-Elliot; and a host of family and friends.