Bertha Lake

Bertha Farr Lake, 84, passed peacefully on the morning of Monday, December 25 at J.F. Hawkins Nursing Home.

Bertha was born on February 9, 1939, the only child of Irby Neal and Marie King Farr; she grew up in Newberry’s West End area. She graduated from Newberry High School in 1957 and married John David Lake that same year in her home church of Mayer Memorial Lutheran. When John left for France to serve in the Army, Bertha stayed behind to work for Southern Bell as a telephone operator.

Bertha and John built their home on Highway 391 outside of Prosperity in 1960 and loved their close-knit and caring community. When John returned from the service, Bertha left her job to raise a family; she also provided childcare to a number of children over the years, which she found very rewarding.

Bertha became a devoted member of St. Peter (Pineywoods) Lutheran Church in Chapin and remained so for as long as her health would allow. She was a member of the Fellowship Sunday School class, the Fellowship Missionary Circle and Primetimers; she also taught Sunday School for 20 years. Bertha truly cherished her church family.

Bertha is survived by daughter and son-in-law Denise and Dave Sedon, daughter-in-law Shirley Lake, granddaughters Bridgett Lyles and Brandi Viera, grandsons Drake Johnson and Austin Lake and great-grandchildren Kinzley, Easton, Ariyah, AJ, Za’Lynn, Austin, Connor, Nolan and Addison. In addition to her husband of 63 years, Bertha was predeceased by both of her sons, David and Neal Lake.    

The family will receive friends at McSwain-Evans Funeral Home in Newberry on Friday, December 29 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, December 30 at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 900 Dreher Island Road, Chapin, SC 29036 by the Rev. David Tholstrup, with burial to follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that those who wish make memorials to St. Peter Lutheran Church or to the charity of one’s choice.

Active pall bearers will be Drake Johnson, Tony Lake, Kevin Lake, Steven Lake, Stuart Lake and Wayne Riddle.

Special thanks to Pastor David Tholstrup and to family and friends for their unwavering support.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7