Bertha Mae Hillyer Burton Terrill

A private memorial service for Bertha Hillyer Burton Terrill will be held at a later date, as her wishes were to be cremated. Bertha was born to Alison L. Hillyer and Orah Lee (Parks) Hillyer on February 14, 1935, in Neelyville, Missouri. She passed from this life on January 3, 2023, at the age of 87. As a young child, Bertha was raised in Piggot, Arkansas, where she attended elementary school and worked with her family on the farm. Later in life she moved to Illinois where she met and married Hugh E. Burton. To this marriage she brought a son and together they would have ten children. In the spring of 1968 the family relocated to Alva, Oklahoma. She worked in several local restaurants as well as Share Nursing Home and as a Private Health Care Assistant. While working in a restaurant, she met and married the love of her life, Donald J. (Jake) Terrill. They continued to live in the Alva area. Bertha retired in 2005. While her education was limited having completed only the 5th grade, she had a love for books and reading. She would say, “if you can read, you can go anywhere and do anything”. Her love for her family was never ending and so enjoyed each and every one of them. In her retirement she discovered the enjoyment of woodworking, making puzzles and ornaments. Regardless of the time restrictions or happenings, there was always time to stop at a “garage/yard sell”. She is survived by her daughters: Ruth (Alfred) Spurgeon of Alva; Rene Boling, of Lahoma; and Rita Castleberry, of Oklahoma City. Sons: Ralph (Loree) Burton of Norman; and Richard (Koleta) Burton of Alva. Grandchildren: Jeremy Hillyer, Dennis Kilmer, Elizabeth Kilmer Sterling, Dannialla Spurgeon Carpenter, Bobbie Spurgeon-Harris, Donald Spurgeon-Tovar Weir, Erica Burton Kraft, Kitty Mallonee Myers, Jimmy Mallonee, Rachelle Mallonee, Krista Burton Hochhalter, Scott Burton, Brittany Burton, Luke Bolar, Lance Bolar, Tanner Burton, Tyler Burton, Terrill Burton, Rance Castleberry and Rylan Castleberry. Twenty-eight great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson and a great-great-granddaughter due in April 2023. Those greeting her in heaven, her parents, brothers Ray, LeRoy, Glen Dale, Johnnie, and sister Opal. Her loving husband Jake, sons: David Hillyer and Robert Burton; daughters Rebecca Burton Kilmer Stith, Roberta, Regina, and Robin Burton, Daughter-in-law, Dee Hillyer and son-in-law Rick Boling. Two grandsons, Christopher Mallonee and Elliot Burton.

Bertha Mae Hillyer Burton Terrill

February 14, 1935 - January 3, 2023