Bertha Lee Cantrel

Bertha Lee Cantrel, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and longtime Dewey resident, died Monday in Bartlesville, OK, after 89 fulfilling years. Bertha was born the daughter of Clyde and Nellie (Taylor) Dye on October 4, 1928. She was raised in Mountain Home, AR, and once she finished her schooling, Bertha moved to Dewey to help her mother care for her youngest sister Evelyn. One evening while she was waiting in line to buy tickets at the Dewey Movie Theater she met a nice young man who after the movie invited her to have a coke with him at the nearby drugstore. Bertha was united in marriage with Kenneth E. Cantrel on June 16, 1946, in Kansas. They made their home in Dewey and Pete started his 40-plus year career with Phillips Petroleum Co. After Pete’s retirement they travelled the country, visiting state parks and enjoying each other’s company. Bertha tended her flower gardens and canned the vegetables Pete grew in his garden. She was active in the many activities her children were involved with, including school and Brownies. Bertha was an avid sewer and made many of the clothes her children grew up wearing. She helped Pete on the farm, caring for the calves and every once in a while helping to get one back into the pasture after it escaped. Bertha loved her grandchildren and would collect the local box turtles for them to see before setting them free once the grandkids left. She was a loving mother and will be dearly missed. Bertha is survived by three children Jeannette Davis of Onalaska, TX, Brenda Coover and Ray of Houston, and Kyle Cantrel and Tara of West Columbia, TX; seven grandchildren, Michael, Stacey, Brian, Kim, Kylee, Britney and Kyle E.; seven great grandchildren, Roxanne, Christian, Lisa, Casher, Aspen, Nora and Isabella; one great great granddaughter Layken; sisters Betty Dye, Frances Miller, Wanda Bennet, Carolyn Nichols, Alice Hunt and Evelyn Steitler plus numerous nieces, nephews and other family. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, sisters Linda Dye, Mildred Bishop, Thelma Fanning, Shirley Tremain and Sue Haney. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation for the loving care provided by Cornerstone Hospice and Green Country Retirement Village, LakeView Memory Care Unit. Graveside services were held at Memorial Park Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Carter Davis and the Davis Family Funeral Home. Online condolences and remembrances may be shared with Bertha’s family at www.DavisFamilyFuneralHome.com.

Bertha Lee Cantrel

October 4, 1928 - February 12, 2018