Extracted from The Shreveport Times (Shreveport, LA)
Friday, October 19, 2012

Bertie Lee Erskins Cicero

SHREVEPORT, LA -- Services celebrating the life of Bertie Lee Erskins Cicero will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 20, 2012, at Rose-Neath Marshall Street Chapel. Officiating will be Dr. Jeff Rains.

Interment will follow in Forest Park West Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to Giuseppe's Restaurant after the interment to share memories of Bertie.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Bertie was born in Sikes, LA and passed away Wednesday, October 10, 2012, after a brief illness. She was a resident of Shreveport for 65 years spending the last four years in Tullahoma, TN to be near her youngest daughter, Sharon, and her husband, Warren. Bertie was a member of First Baptist Church of Shreveport for 50 plus years. She helped support her church and also St. John Berchmans Cathedral of Shreveport. Bertie lived a very full life and along her journey gathered many colorful friends. She always developed new and lasting friendships, charming each of them with her sense of humor. Bertie often hosted large gatherings of relatives and friends at Christmas time. Her sense of humor sustained her throughout her long life and strengthened her in her death. She could always be heard saying, “I'm fine”.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, John P. Cicero. Bertie was the last surviving sibling of eight. She is now happy with Effie McDaniel, Ethel Parker, Florence Parker, Myrtis Catanese, Waymon Erskins, Ralph Erskins, and Junior Erskins, who also preceded her in death. Bertie was a beloved mother to her three children, Deborah Cicero of Athens, GA, Sharon Cicero and husband, Warren Whisenhunt of Tullahoma, TN, and Ronald Cicero and Kitty Lutke of Shreveport, LA; and a beloved aunt to many nieces and nephews. Each will miss her dearly.

Honoring Bertie, as pallbearers will be Jerry Erskins, Bob Erskins, Mervin Parker, Sam Francis Cicero, David Nosser, and Tom Nosser.

The family would like to thank Hospice Compassus and all who cared for our loved one during her illness. Your caring and compassion is deeply appreciated.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 920 Pierremont Road, Shreveport, LA 71106.