Bernetta Virginia Hall, 99, Baltimore housekeeper
Bernetta Virginia Hall, a retired housekeeper, died Sunday of undetermined causes at the Cherrywood Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Reisterstown. She was 99 and had lived on Mosher Street for 50 years.
She held a number of jobs - elevator operator at a downtown insurance building, an insurance saleswoman, a cosmetologist and a housekeeper. She retired many years ago.
The former Bernetta Virginia Handy was born in Cambridge. As a young woman, she worked as a companion to the daughter of a family with homes in Glen Burnie and Baltimore. While there, she commuted to Washington, where she attended public schools.
She could recall the Great Baltimore Fire of 1904, when she was sent to the basement of her home for safety. She later said the smell of the smoke never seemed to go away.
She was an adopted mother to many neighborhood children.
She was active in the Arch Social Club and the Elks Great Southern Temple No. 30.
In 1945, she married Edward Everett Hall. He died in 1957.
Services were held yesterday at Emmanuel Christian Community Church, where she was a longtime member.
Mrs. Hall is survived by a niece, Barbara Harris of Baltimore.
Miles Rudolph Williams, 66, funeral home manager
Miles Rudolph Williams, a vice president of March Funeral Homes and manager of its North Avenue location, died Saturday of cancer at St. Agnes HealthCare. He was 66 and lived in West Baltimore.
He was employed at the funeral home from 1964 until his death.
"He was a mentor to many of Baltimore's African-American funeral directors and assistants," said his daughter, Linda Warren of Baltimore. "He wore sharp suits, too. He had them in all flavors and in all colors."
Born in Currituck County, S.C., Mr. Williams was educated at public schools there. He served in the Army from 1951 to 1954, when he moved to Baltimore.
For more than 20 years, he was a member of the Baltimore Cossacks, a charitable and social group that helps support needy families and organizations. He enjoyed fishing, music and family social events.
In 1970, he married Emma Elizabeth Moody, a floral designer.
Funeral services were held yesterday at March Funeral Home, 1101 E. North Ave.
In addition to his wife and daughter, he is survived by two sons, Gerald Jackson and Sherman Williams; two daughters, Vanessa Williams and Cheryl Williams, all of Baltimore; a sister, Ella Jackson, also of Baltimore; 10 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.