Alice Ruth Abrahams Bertrand

Alice Ruth Abrahams Bertrand of Houston, Texas passed from this life to the next on June 23, 2026 at the age of 91. She was born on October 5, 1934 to John Herman Abrahams and Gertrude Tiahrt Abrahams in Lake Charles, Louisiana, the sixth of eight children.

Alice graduated from LaGrange High School, and was in the first graduating class in the Department of Nursing at McNeese College in Lake Charles. She went on to work for many years as and labor and delivery nurse, and also taught nursing students at a Sowela Technical College.

She was known for her calming bedside manner, but also a backbone of steel, and received many accolades for her nursing service during her career.

Alice married Billy James Bertrand on November 26, 1957 and was married for 68 years, five months, and 28 days. Their union produced four daughters of whom she was very proud. As a wife and mother, Alice exemplified the Proverbs 31 woman.

She was indeed more precious than jewels, and the heart of her husband safely trusted in her. Alice lived a life of service, working willingly with her hands as she designed crafts for vacation Bible School, decorated her home with pinecone wreaths and macrame creations, wrote children’s programs, or cared for neighbors and friends when they were ill. She sat for days at the bedside of most of her siblings as they passed from this life, and was the last of the Abrahams children to pass away.

Alice rose while it was still dark to study the Word of God on her knees and to wear a path in the red carpet of the living room as she prayed. She provided nutritious food for for her household, making the flakiest crust for her pies, and people from afar praised her angel food cakes. Her lamp did not go out at night as she created garments for herself and her daughters and grandchildren, look-alike dolls, blanket, and special quiet books for each child to keep them occupied during church.

Strength and dignity were her clothing. She was usually a quiet woman, not seeking the spotlight, more comfortable serving behind the scenes. When Alice decided to speak she spoke wisdom and kindness with a genuine interest and love for others. She looked well to the ways of her household and did NOT eat the bread of idleness. She always learning and dearly loved traveling with her Bill.

Alice was preceded in death by her beloved parents, siblings Robert, James, Edith, Bettye, Doris, Grace, and Bill and grandson Jordan Roberts.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Bill, her daughters Ellen King, Alane Roberts-Hallaway, Laura Cook, Deborah Mershimer, and grandchildren Loren King, Alicen King Berzoza, Dawson Roberts, Cameron Roberts, Makenna Cook Baker, Hayden Cook, Titus Mershimer, Garrett Mershimer, Landon Mershimer, Ethan Mershimer, and great granddaughter, Ellia Berzoza, along with dozens of nieces and nephews, and a great host of friends.