Bertha Mae had a rich but strict childhood. Bertha graduated from Messick High School and attended Memphis State University. Bertha married High School friend, Karl Clark. On January 31, 1963, a child was born named Mary Denise. The marriage decayed and the couple divorced in 1984. Bertha's marriage to Karl was a three ring circus, engagement ring, wedding ring and suffering. Bertha met and married Albert Sills in 1988. Ida said “I never knew what real happiness was until I got remarried, then it was too late”.