Bertha Jane McKinney

February 5, 1950 - February 23, 2021

Bertha McKinney was welcomed to the golden streets of Heaven by the comfort of Gods angels and surrounded by the love of her family. Bertha was loved by so many, because she loved so many. Berthas ability to radiate unconditional love, compassion and acceptance was a special gift or superpower that she was blessed with. Each person that was fortunate enough to have known her understands how being exposed to her beauty impacted their life. Bertha Jane Perser McKinney was born February 5, 1950, in Viola, Arkansas to J.D. Perser and Marie Harrison Perser. In 1962 Bertha traveled with her mother and two sisters to Cutler, California where her family found a new home. Bertha and her two sisters (Janette and Beverly) attended Orosi elementary and Orosi High School. Bertha spent some time in Southern California and relocated to San Luis Obispo where she graduated from San Luis Obispo High School. After High School she would travel to one of her favorite places with her friends� Hawaii! Bertha's sense for style and beauty came naturally, she followed that passion by attending and graduating from a school of cosmetology in San Luis Obispo. Bertha moved to Visalia and Bertha moved to Visalia and begun working at a local Visalia beauty shop called "AJ's." Bertha's passion for the field of cosmetology made working each day exciting. Bertha made friendships while working with other hairdressers that have lasted a lifetime. During the years of working as a hairdresser, Bertha went on to work at "Times Place Salon" and finally retiring from "Jazz Production and Day Spa" in 2020. The women at Jazz Production (The Jazzie's) all held a special place in her heart and the special memories will continue to live on. In 1979 while cruising the streets of Visalia in her Datsun 280z Bertha met her future husband Michael McKinney. Mike and Bertha traveled a lot in the early years of marriage. Mike was a member of the Shriners Clowns and Bertha a member of the "Lady of the Nile." In addition, they were involved in localized groups in which they developed lifelong friendships. Those were the best times of their lives and they would talk about them often. Mike and Bertha were married until his death in 2018. Bertha's marriage to Mike came with the gift of two daughters: Michaele McKinney (Richard Brown) and Patricia Silcato Silva (Louis Silva). Bertha had three granddaughters Amber Lynne Stallings McKinney (Gerald Millett), Jessica Rebecca Higuera McKinney (Corey Meling), Campbell Grace Walton McKinney, one great-grandchild Grace Michaele Higuera Meling and grandson Matthew Silva. Her grandchildren were her whole world, she loved them deeply and that love impacted their lives. Never missing a special event or a chance to say good-night, Bertha made sure that they knew how much they meant to her daily and gave them that security every child long for. Bertha was also blessed to become a Godmother to Jared and Georgia Crites. Bertha also shared often about how much God blessed her life with her sister (Janette Barber) and brother-in-law (William Barber). The three of them were very close talking daily on the phone and visiting each other often. Janette was the calming spirit that Bertha needed when there were life storms. Janette and Bill had five children Bonnie, William, Stephanie, Kelly and Patrick, she cherished the opportunity to be an aunt to them and eventually the gave her 11 great-nieces and nephews. Bertha was preceded in death by her husband Mike McKinney, Mother Marie Harrison Perser McClain, baby sister Beverly Perser Arcelia, and grandson Derrick Jennings McBride.