Alberta "Bertha" Journet Powell
Some experiences of her life
Alberta “Bertha” Journet Powell has been a member of the J. Michael Morrow Community for a while. Visiting with her made me think about the members who make up a family, how similar we are and at times, we see how different members of the same family can be. It takes all the experiences of our lives to make us who we are and it is up to the individual to choose how to be or how not to be. You can use your upbringing as a reason to do good or an excuse to do bad.
Bertha has chosen to do good. She is a kind, peaceful, smiling lady. I have known her for many years; but, it was when Annabelle “Sue Sue” Richard was Bertha’s roommate that I came to love Bertha.
I visited with Sue Sue and she shared the story of her life. It can be accessed at the following link:
http://www.jmmorrownursinghome.com/around-our-home-away-from-home-anna-belle-sue-sue-white-richard
Bertha was there in the room through Sue Sue’s illness and eventual death. I know that she brought comfort and peace to the long days before Sue Sue succumbed to her illness. Bertha says: “Sue Sue was Sue Sue. I can tell you that she suffered.”
Bertha is the daughter of Junior Journet and Viola King. She had seven brothers and four sisters and Bertha loves when the ones who are still living come to visit.
I frequently visit the residents and I bring communion to the residents who are unable to attend the weekly communion services. I never go too long without dropping in on Bertha. I know she misses Sue Sue.
Bertha and I had talked several times about writing her story. I mostly spoke to her in French because I am more comfortable speaking French. Today, I asked which she preferred French or English? Bertha did not hesitate. She told me that she prefers English. She explained that she was born and raised in Opelousas. Since her husband was from Arnaudville, Bertha moved to Arnaudville as a young bride and she soon learned that most of the people of Arnaudville spoke French.
Bertha continues her story but although there are no tears, I sense the telling brings back very sad memories. She was a twin. Bertha was actually named “Alberta.” Her twin sister was “Bertha.” When her twin sister was six years old, she contracted pneumonia and died. Bertha’s mother, Viola King Journet, must have known the sadness the remaining twin felt. She offered Alberta the opportunity to move.
Alberta had an aunt who had never had children. So that her aunt would not be alone after her husband died, Alberta was told that she could move in with her. Alberta did and enjoyed her days with her aunt who was named Helena King Journet. Like Bertha, her aunt was also a twin. Over the years, the name, “Alberta,” was shortened to “Bertha.”
As a young woman, Bertha and her aunt attended a Catholic church and this is where she met the man who would become her husband. Eventually, he came courting at her home and when Bertha was 21, the couple decided to marry. Murphy asked Bertha's aunt for her hand in marriage.
Bertha and Murphy “Shorty” Powell settled in Arnaudville. Shorty worked as a mechanic for Russell Olivier’s Garage and Filling Station near the Bayou Fuselier bridge. Bertha worked for Nookie and Florina Tauzin Martin for about 32 years. Nookie has passed away and now, Florina is also a resident at J. Michael Morrow Nursing Home. Bertha visits with her sometimes. Bertha remembers that when her babies came, she could bring the baby with her to work. Florina’s children played together with Bertha’s.
In more recent times, Bertha worked for Kevin Guidry Original Produce Market on Moss Street in Lafayette. Bertha doesn’t mind keeping houses in top order but she loves to cook. She can cook just about anything. She loves to bake too. Kevin Guidry had a lunch counter and Bertha worked as a cook there for a while. Since Bertha never learned to drive, she had to hitch a ride with another worker.
Murphy and Bertha had two boys, Wilton and Clifton and one girl, Debbie. Clifton suffered a stroke and passed away. Murphy, her husband, passed away in 1980.
Debbie and Bertha lived together and enjoyed each other’s company. Bertha says: “Debbie was good to me.” At a young age, Debbie had to be placed on dialysis. Once when Debbie attended Mass at St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic Church in Arnaudville as she did every Sunday, The priest gave Debbie a ride home. He told Bertha that he sensed Debbie was not feeling well. Bertha had cooked and she offered Debbie supper but Debbie said she was not hungry. All she wanted was her grandmother “MaMa’s” picture. Debbie held the picture on her chest and a short time later, when Bertha checked, Debbie had passed away. Bertha says: “My Mom came to get her.”
Wilton is Bertha’s only remaining child. She has many relatives in the Arnaudville area. I brought my copy of the St. Catherine’s Church Directory and Bertha enjoyed pointing out all of her friends and relatives.
At one time, Bertha worked for the Stevens Family who had moved to Arnaudville to open a mobile home plant on Hebert Road. Like many other families, the Stevens loved Bertha’s cooking.
Now, the days at J. Michael Morrow Nursing Home are quiet and pleasant. It is the second time Bertha joined the community. On March 17, 2015, Bertha was admitted due to an illness. In time Bertha was able to return to her home. A bad fall later that same year, July 30, 2015, brought Bertha back to J. Michael Morrow Nursing Home. Bertha suffered an injury to a leg that is still very painful. Bertha says that the nurses and all the workers are very good to her. She is quick to add: “But, they don’t cook like me!”
Bertha has truly lived to love and to serve. She now shares a room with a lady called “Rita.” Rita volunteered that she could not ask for a better roommate and I know just what she means. While I visited with Bertha, my friend and fellow volunteer Sandy Esteve met with Rita and Sandy promises that her story will come next.
Around Our Home Away From Home, Our Stories
