Bertha Richardson Haywood, 84, passed away at 1:52 a.m. Jan. 21, 2015, in Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne. She was born Aug. 27, 1930, in London, Ohio, the sixth child of Elza and Lillie Whitaker Richardson. On Sept. 28, 1947, she married Calvin Haywood, who preceded her in death June 24, 1997. He was the son of Jobe and Grace Haywood, Prestonsburg, Ky., and served as a Baptist deacon for over 20 years. She was a Kosciusko County resident for 68 years. She was employed by Pletcher’s Food Market, Pierceton; Peabody Retirement Home, North Manchester; R.R. Donnelley and Sons, Warsaw; and was a longtime homemaker. She was a member of the First Freewill Baptist Church of Claypool, a former member of the Freewill Baptist Church of Silver Lake and the Freewill Baptist Church of Columbia City. In addition, she was a lifetime member of Monroe Hilltoppers Home Extension Club, serving as president, vice president and treasurer of Camp Elco, which was held at Camp Mack, Milford. Furthermore, she served as a leader for both the Girl Scouts and 4-H and as vice president for the Kosciusko County Home Extension Clubs. She and Calvin, along with her children, traveled and sang for the Lord for over 20 years with the Cal Haywood Family Country Gospel Singers. After Calvin’s homegoing, she and her family continued singing the Gospel. Survivors include Judy (and spouse Jim) Swanson, Columbia City; Rita (and spouse Steve) Conley, Deborah (and spouse Jimmie) Adams and Robert “Bob” (and spouse Brenda) Haywood, all of Claypool; a sister, Pearl England, Claypool; eight grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. She also was preceded in death by two brothers and four sisters. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at First Freewill Baptist Church, 58 W. CR 700S, Claypool, with Pastor Terry Bradford officiating. Burial is in Graceland Cemetery, Claypool. Calling is from 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the church. McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw, is entrusted with arrangements. ***** Memorials to Camp Nash Fund, c/o First Freewill Baptist Church, P.O. Box 43, Claypool, IN 46510-43. Condolences may be sent via mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com
