She was a lifelong member of Progressive Missionary Baptist Church, where she served as a Deaconess and as the Financial Secretary of the Finance Committee. She was baptized at an early age by the late Reverend L. H. Newsome. Bertha attended Mary C. Johnson Elementary School, Lanier Junior/Senior High School, and Tougaloo College. Bertha moved to Chicago, Illinois, after her schooling, and began her career as a Banker for Continental Bank.

Bertha was united in holy matrimony to Thomas Willis, with whom one daughter, Shardai Willis, was born. Bertha and Thomas retired and moved back to Jackson, Mississippi, where they ran a children's clothing store, S. Nicole's Dress For Less. Bertha later attended Samuel's Cosmetology School and worked as a cosmetologist for several years. Bertha was a devoted mother, daughter, sister, and aunt. She loved her family and friends and helped anyone she could without question.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Willis; her father, Nemiah Davis, Sr.; her sister, Glenda Davis; and two nephews, Cedric Davis and Eric Tucker. Bertha left us abruptly without warning on October 11, 2022. She leaves to cherish her memories: one daughter, Shardai Willis; her mother, Flordia Davis; two brothers, Jason Davis and Nemiah Davis, Jr.; three nieces, Sylena (Karl) Joseph, De' Andrea Greenfield, and Morgan (Maurtice) Davis Mills; two uncles, three aunts, and a host of relatives and friends.