Note: Bertha passed away May 5, 2005 in Junction City, KS at age 99.

Bertha was born in Paragould Arkansas in 1906 to Charles and Bessie Hubbard. Bertha weighed only 1 1/2 pounds when born at home and was kept in a shoe box in the upper drawer of her parents only dressor. She was the oldest of 5 children, 3 girls and 2 boys. Elmer, the fourth child died at home when Bertha was 11 years old and it left considerable grief with her that is still with her today. Harold died in the last 10 years. Bertha's sister, Mable (born March 3, 1908) passed away on March 5, 2003 at age 95. Her other sister, Sylvia was born April 26, 1910 and passed away February 13, 2007.

Bertha's parents were very poor farmers and her mother did not learn to read or write for many years. She was partly taught how to read and write by her children and the father. Bertha married Boyd Hampton and they had three boys, Jerry, Don, and Dean.

The following poem was sent to me by a classmate in Junction City, Kansas and is presented as a tribute to Bertha for your better understanding of her as she is today.

What do you see, people, what do you see?
What are you thinking when you're looking at me?
A crabby old woman, not very wise,
Uncertain of habit, with faraway eyes?
Who dribbles her food and makes no reply
When you say in a loud voice, "I do wish you'd try!"
Who seems not to notice the things that you do,
And forever is losing a stocking or shoe.....

Who, resisting or not, lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding, the long day to fill....
Is that what you're thinking? Is that what you see?

Then open your eyes, you're not looking at me.
I'll tell you who I am as I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, as I eat at your will.
I'm a small child with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters, who love one another.
A young girl of sixteen, with wings on her feet,
Dreaming that soon now a lover she'll meet.

As a bride, my heart gives a leap,
Remembering the vows that I promised to keep.
At twenty-seven now, I have young of my own,
Who need me to guide and a secure happy home.
A woman of thirty, my young now grown fast,
Bound to each other with ties that should last.

At fifty, my young sons have grown and are gone,
But my man's beside me to see I don't mourn.
At fifty-four once more, babies play round my knee,
Again we know children, my loved one and me.
For my young are all rearing young of their own,
And I think of the years and the love that I've known.

Dark days are upon me, my husband is dead;
I look at the future, I shudder with dread.

I'm now an old woman ...and nature is cruel;
'Tis jest to make old age look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles, grace and vigor depart,
There is now a stone where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass a young girl still dwells,
And now and again my battered heart swells.
I remember the joys, I remember the pain,
And I'm loving and living life over again.
I think of the years ....all too few, gone too fast,
And accept the stark fact that nothing can last.