Funeral service for Bertha M. Russell, 78, Lawton will be at 2:00 pm Saturday, March 2, 2013 in the Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jack Sayre, Jr., Rev. Russell Snow and her son Rev. Gordon Russell officiating. Bertha passed away Tuesday, February 26, 2013 in Lawton. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens under the direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home. * The family will greet friends Friday evening at the funeral home from 5pm until 7pm. * * There will be a lunch at 11:00 am Saturday for family and friends at the Lighthouse Church of God, 800 NW Rogers Lane in Lawton. "Bring a dish" Bertha was born August 28, 1934 in Lawton, Oklahoma to Thomas E. and Eva L. Watkins. She lived on Cache Creek and went to school at Lone Jack. She later moved to Medicine Park and finished elementary school there. She got an award for being the "Best Girl in School" from the American Legion. She went to high school at Elgin, Oklahoma and graduated in 1951. After graduation she moved to Lawton and went to work in several cafes, until she went to work for the Army and Air Force Exchange Service at Fort Sill in 1952. She started at one branch making sandwiches for other branches, mopping and buffing the floors, then to another branch cooking and learning the book work. She was then transferred to Snow Hall Cafeteria where she worked until the manager retired, and she became manager in 1968. She was running six snack bars and at one time, two cafeterias. She had the best employees anyone could ever ask for. Her bosses always asked her why couldn't the other branches have employees like she had. She replied, because she worked with them and treated them like she wanted to be treated. She was known to have the best places on post, and the best food. Even people from downtown would go to her places and eat diner. No bragging - Just Fact. All the Generals were her buddies, all of her bosses and the medics knew not to give her a rough time, because the Generals would call them up or tell them to come see them. General Holliday gave her going away retirement party in his private conference room, called the Arm's in Snow Hall. She was told that she was the first civilian that they had ever done that for. She received a great number of rewards and letters of appreciation from her bosses, customers, Generals and higher officials. She was known to have the best food on post. She retired after putting in 38 years, on September 1, 1989. Bertha married Norman Russell on June 19, 1952 in Lawton. She and her husband resided in Lawton and together had four children, Theresa, Otis, Gordon and Debra. Survivors include her husband Norman of the home, daughter Theresa Coosewoon, son Gordon Russell, daughter Debra Russell, six grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. Bertha was preceded in death by her parents, a son Otis Russell, three sisters and six brothers. I don't want anyone to be sad or to grieve over me, I'll still be around pestering you now and then. I may be sitting next to you fishing, and if you catch one bigger than me, I'll take it.