Bertha Melvina Stafford Marcum

After a long and productive life, Bertha Melvina Stafford Marcum passed away in her Anderson, Indiana home on June 9, 2021 at the age of 98. She was born April 13, 1923 to Kenneth and Gladys (Hoover) Stafford.

Bertha was the oldest of 7 children raised in Hamilton County Indiana. She married Riley Everett Marcum May 12, 1943, who preceded her in death in 1975. She lived in Cicero Indiana for 45 years prior to retiring to Anderson in 1990.

During her long life, she worked in a rubber factory during WWII, kept house, raised five children, worked as a nursing assistant, mended, sewed, crocheted, and babysat for many children in the Cicero area. In her retirement, she took in stray dogs and gardened. One of her great passions was watching things grow. Another was to crochet. If she was sitting, she had a crochet hook in her hand.

She is preceded in death by sisters, Geraldine (Jerry), Shirley, brothers, Edsel, Grant (Bud), and Jesse. Bertha is survived by her sister, Patricia Cummings; five children: Sandra Marcum, James Marcum (Marsha), Judith Marcum, Susan Purkey, (Roger), and Jennifer Marcum. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren: Jackson Purkey (Christine), Justin Marcum (Rachel Reed), Melissa Marcum, Travis Marcum, Kylie Purkey (Charity), Logan Purkey (Abby); and 5 great-grandchildren.

A memorial gift to the Madison County Indiana Humane Society would be a fitting gift to honor Bertha and her love of her dogs.