Bertha Idella Buras

Hallelujah! Our angel on earth and lifelong servant of Christ, Bertha Idella Ilish Buras, 95 years young is at peace in the loving arms of God, her beloved husband, numerous siblings, and parents in heaven. Our beloved ‘Granny’ passed away April 9, 2020 in Mandeville, LA. Born in Newport News, VA in 1925, she graduated from Newport News High School and worked in the Newport News Shipyard as a timekeeper during World War II. She was predeceased in 2014 by her devoted husband, Frank Thomas Buras of New Orleans, who she married in 1946 in Fort Bragg, NC; her parents, George Ilish, born in Omisalj, Croatia and Bertha Adele Jones Ilish, born in Isle of Wight, VA; sisters Virginia Bowen and Catherine Weaver; brothers George, Linwood, John, Elbert (Nick), and Dennis Ilich, all of Newport News, VA.
Bertha was a lifelong devoted servant of Christ, spreading God’s message of love and compassion through her deeds. She was the loving mother of five children and a military wife who kept her family together in moves to seven states and several European countries. Along the way she made many friends that she annually corresponded with at Christmas. Her family and friends will treasure the memory of and miss her sweet, generous spirit. Bertha always had a smile on her face, a song in her heart, a joke on her tongue, a great meal on her stove, and something sweet in the oven to share.
‘Bert’ was a dedicated member of Calvary Baptist Church in New Orleans where she was active with the church nursery, Sunday school, children’s choir, and hand bell programs. She also supported the Seaman’s Center of Global Maritime Ministries in New Orleans and was a member of Lodge 469 of the Order of the Eastern Star in Belle Chasse.
She is survived by her 5 children and their spouses: Frank E. Buras and Patricia Young Buras of Mandeville, Trudy Buras Ramey and Dr. Stewart T. Ramey of Baton Rouge, Thomas A. Buras and Honora Sloss Buras of Prairieville, Howard I. Buras of Cypress, CA, and Ralph R. Buras and Donna Baier Buras of Chester, VA; twelve grandchildren: Kim Buras Prevost, Erika Buras Moore, Jennifer Buras McLachlan, Natalie Buras Bratton, Douglas Ramey, Lauren Ramey, Amanda Buras, Nicholas Buras, Nicole Noggle Walsh, Michael Noggle, Hannah Buras, and Sarah Buras; and ten great-grandchildren: Jacob and Benton Prevost; Roselynn, Caroline, and Isaac Moore; Wakeley, Walker, and Arden McLachlan, and Harper and Reagan Walsh. Bertha is also survived by her sister, Shirley Williamson and husband Boswell of Grafton, Virginia and numerous nephews, nieces, grandnephews, and grandnieces.
Bertha will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband in Mill Swamp Cemetery in Ivor, Virginia. Due to the gatherings restrictions, there will be a private grave-side service for the immediate family with a Celebration of Life Memorial to be held at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made to Calvary Baptist Church ( www.calvaryneworleans.com ), The Gideons International ( www.gideons.org ), Global Maritime Ministries ( www.portmimistries.com ), or Fisher House Foundation ( www.fisherhouse.org ). Relatives and friends are invited to send condolences to Mothe Funeral Home ( www.mothefunerals.com ) or Peninsula Funeral Home at ( www.peninsulafuneralhome.com ).