Obituaries

Berdia Mae Holloway Smith was born April 24, 1942, to the union of John and Lilian Barr in Troy, Alamba. While a young child the family relocated to Chicago, IL She was the eldest of nine children.

Berdia gave birth to three loving children: Ernest, Ivori and Roosevelt. She went on to receive her GED from Dawson Technical Institute (DTI) of Kennedy King College.

Berdia Mae Holloway Smith accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at Mt. Olivet M. B. Church. She later joined New Macedonia M. B. Church under Pastor Odell Young. Over the years she served faithfully. After the death of Pastor Young, she continued to serve under Pastor Q.Z. Garner until his retirement and under current pastor Rev. Walter Hicks until her health declined. She loved singing in the choir and serving on the pastor’s aid committee. Later in life she served on the Mother’s board (including a stint as president) until her passing.

In 1975, Berdia met the first love of her life, Montrose Holloway and were joined in holy matrimony in March of 1977. They lived happily together until his death in October of 1987. She then met Frank Smith and were wedded in 2010. He passed away in 2011.

Berdia Mae Holloway Smith worked at the Palmer House Hotel in downtown Chicago as a housekeeper for many years. She later became an independent contractor until the end of her career. She also worked as an independent seamstress creating many dresses and outfits for fashion shows, proms and the like. She also loved making blankets, crocheting and jigsaw puzzles.

She was preceded in death by her parents John and Lilian Barr, her two husbands Montrose and Frank, two sisters Willie Esther and Johnnie Mae, and one brother James. Berdia Mae Holloway Smithgained her wings on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.

She leaves to cherish her memory, two brothers Joe (Pat) Barr of Saulk Village, IL and Edward Barr of Chicago, IL. three sisters Geraldine (Newton) Johnson of Maywood, IL, Augustine Barr of Milwaukee, WI and Theresa Jones of Chicago, IL, one daughter Ivori (William) Roberts of Chicago IL. two sons Ernest (Claudette) Barr of Chicago, IL and Roosevelt (Gwendolyn) Crawford of Peoria, IL; eleven grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other family and friends.