Bertha Naomi Bell Barnes Simmons, daughter of the late Charlie and Beulah Bell was born January 19 1933 and went home to be with the Lord September 22, 2013 in the Vidant Roanoke Chowan Hospital in Ahoskie, NC.

Bertha was educated in the Plymouth Public Schools. She joined Second Zion Grove Baptist Church at a young age. She met and married Luther Barnes and from this union ten children were born.

After the death of her mother, her father moved the family to New York. She remarried Henry Simmons. She worked as a Nurse Assistant at Brooklyn Hospital until she retired in 1991. Bertha and Henry moved back to Plymouth reconnecting with family and friends.

She leaves to cherish her memories three daughters- Valerie Barnes- Brooklyn, NY, Von Beulah Gray (John)- Patchogue, NY., Sonja McIntosh- Far Rockaway, NY; son- Charles Barnes (Sarah)- Hinesville, GA; step children- Ronald Simmons- MD, Rodney Simmons- NY, Ronda Williams- NY, Romona Cheek- NY, Kenneth Bailey- TX, Roma Hall- VA, Roselle Williams- NY,; and fourteen grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Bertha was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Simmons, three daughters, Elaine Barnes, Iris Cordon, Gail Barnes, two brothers, Charlie Bell, Jr., Harry Bell, three grandchildren, Christina Barnes, Carlotta Cordon, and Jamel Barnes.

Funeral servies were 1:00PM Friday September 27, 2013 at Second Zion Grove Missionary Baptist Church with Reverend Hubert Judon, pastor, officiating. Burial followed in Second Zion Grove
Cemetery