Bertha C. Baugh

Bertha Mary Cain Baugh was born on Wednesday, May 29, 1918, in Limestone County, Athens, Alabama, to Thomas Cain and Rebecca Peebles Cain, the youngest of four children. The Lord called Bertha home on Saturday, April 29, 2017, in Vancouver, Washington. Her husband David preceded her in death, as well as her parents, brother William Henry and sisters Clara and Mabel. Berthas parents encouraged her education. She attended local public schools, and her strongest influence came from Miss Louise Allyn at Trinity High School, part of a church-sponsored network ensuring education for black children in the segregated South. Bertha graduated in 1942 from Alabama A&M University, where she met her husband, David Baugh. She started teaching elementary school right out of college, but David's schooling was interrupted when he was called into the Army. After their marriage on Dec. 25, 1943, Bertha continued teaching until World War II war ended. Then, in 1945, she and David followed two of his brothers, William and Theodore, to Vancouver. Her sister Clara Cain joined them here in 1955. The Baugh families were leaders in building a strong black community here with other wartime pioneers. Bertha and David helped charter the Vancouver Branch #1139 of NAACP the year they arrived. They remained active in local, regional, and national NAACP, becoming life members. Bertha and David joined Vancouvers First Presbyterian Church on March 29, 1953. She was ordained as an elder of the Church in June 1991, and honored as a 50-year church member in 2003. A year ago, on her 98th birthday, she was celebrated as a Mother of the Church. Berthas activism was community-wide. She held office with NAACP and worked with the YWCA, League of Women Voters, Heroines of Jericho, and many other service organizations. She taught elementary school in Vanport and Portland Public Schools and by the time she retired in 1978, she was teaching the children of former students. Berthas photograph was used for a nationwide HOSTS mentoring campaign, and, she delighted in national recognition as an Outstanding Elementary Teacher of America, but her true joy was that the parents would ask for me. With no children of her own, she was beloved by multitudes. After retirement Bertha tutored for seven years in Vancouver schools, took food for distribution after her trips to the store, and cared for her neighbors and friends in more ways than anyone knew. She loved to learn and try new things - I will have that desire as long as I live. She stood up to racism all her life, urging others to do the same - The instinctive response must be whats right, not fear. Were all human. She lived every day with God as her constant companion. She rejoiced in life. She was a model for us all. Bertha was laid to rest with her husband, David, at Willamette National Cemetery. She leaves to cherish her memory niece, Lynn Baugh of Tacoma, nephew, Dale Baugh of Vancouver, numerous nieces and nephews and friends.

Bertha C. Baugh

May 29, 1918 - April 29, 2017