Precious Lord , take my hand Through the storm, Through the night
Lead me on, Let me stand Lead me on to the light
I am tired, I am weak Take my hand, Precious Lord
I am worn, Lead me on
BERTA ELIZABETH ALLEN CUSTIS, daughter of the late Mary Ella Hickman and John Alfred Allen entered eternal rest on Thursday, May 19, 2005 at the home of her son, James S. Custis, 148 Grand Street, Portsmouth, VA. She was born June 18, 1917 in Northampton County, VA; was reared and attended public schools in Accomac, VA. She was employed for 39 years in the seafood industry serving with N. Steelman, B. L. Bell and ultimately retiring from R & C Seafood.
On January 15, 1939, she was joined in holy matrimony to Howard Edwin Custis who preceded her in death on January 3, 1992. She is also predeceased by a son, Howard Thomas; two grandchildren, Charles, Jr. and Pomona Elizabeth; five brothers, James, Joseph, Theodore, Curtis and William; eight sisters, Gladys, Johnnie Mae, Ella, Rosetta, Carrie, Mamie, Erma and Lillian.
Elizabeth accepted Christ as her personal Savior at an early age and became an active member of First Baptist Church, Capeville, Virginia where she remained a faithful soldier until her health began to fail. She served as a member of the Deaconess Board, Starlight Chorus, Senior Choir, Pastor’s Aide, Willing Workers and Senior Missionary Board. Her love for singing is evidenced in the rich legacy of hymns and spirituals she often sung and taught to her family and will always be an expression of our love for her and of the God she gave to each of us. Mother, displayed a deep love for family that was only surpassed by her love for Christ. She hosted and attended numerous family gatherings to ensure that we all stayed connected. She would always tell us or end phone calls by saying “ I love everybody” and “can‘t nobody do me like King Jesus.“ She was an outstanding seamstress and cook. Her family and the community which stretched from Florida to Connecticut will remember her for her hot rolls, clam cakes and rice pudding. She will be deeply missed.
She leaves the gift of love and faith to be remembered by her two sons, Charles E. Custis of Seaview, VA, James S. Custis of Portsmouth, VA; five daughters, Mary E. Graves of Birdsnest, VA,
Arethea V. Smaw of Newport News, VA, Edna M. Woodson of Mount Vernon, NY, Lillian R. Banks of Melfa, VA and Juana L. Johnson of Mount Vernon, NY; a loving and deeply devoted daughter-in-law, Annie Bowers-Custis of Portsmouth, VA; five sons-in-law, Edward Graves, Birdsnest, VA, Clifton Smaw, Newport News, VA, Robert Woodson, Mount Vernon, NY, Whitesy M. Banks, Jr., Melfa, VA and Theodore Johnson, Mount Vernon, NY; twenty-two grandchildren, Thomas M. Custis, Seaview, VA; Tonja M. Brickhouse, O’Fallon, IL; Grover M. Custis, Cape Charles, VA; Alfred H. Holmes, Atlanta, GA; George C. Holmes, Painter, VA; Sandra A. Burrows, Somerset, NJ; Gladys E. Walker, Patricia A. Williams, Cheryl D. Smaw and Erica E. Smaw, Newport News, VA; Tammy Bell, Onancock, VA; Tarris Wyatt, Cheriton, VA; Charles H. Custis, Seaview, VA; LaTanya Q. Stevens, Jacksonville, FL; Carlos E. Gambrell, Landover, MD; Saheme S. Gambrell, Mount Vernon, NY; Whitesy M. Banks, III and William A. Banks, Melfa, VA; LuKeisha M. Nock, Nassawadox, VA; James S. Custis, Jr., Fort Riley, KS; LaTasha E. Custis, Portsmouth, VA; Gary L. Johnson, Mount Vernon, NY; eight step-grandchildren, Robert Woodson, Bronx, NY; Randy Woodson and Rhonda Winston, Stratford, CT; Avery B. Jennings, David M. Bowers, and Irving H. Harris, Portsmouth, VA; Rashad T. Johnson and Titionna S. Johnson, Cheriton, VA; forty-one great grandchildren; ten great-great grandchildren, three sisters-in-law; nieces and nephews; many other relatives and friends.
Lovingly,
The Family
In Loving Memory
Of
B e r t a E l i z a b e t h A l l e n C u s t i s
Sunrise Sunset
June 18, 1917 May 19, 2005
1:00 P.M.
First Baptist Church
Capeville, Virginia
Reverend Kelvin F. Jones, Pastor
Officiating
I was young but I recall
Singing songs was my Mother’s joy
As the shadows gathered at the close of the day
And she’d sit me on her knee
In those days that used to be
As she sang of God’s Amazing Grace
~~~~
Mother was so good and kind
Often she told me, child, you’ll never find
Not another that will share your grief and woes
So I took her at her word
And I sought the blessed Lord
And today my Mother’s God is mine
~~~~
Amazing Grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now I’m found
Was blind but now I see