Bertha C. Lines

Bertha (Bertie) Cantu Lines passed away in her sleep at her home on the afternoon of August 2nd 2026 at 92 years of age in Marietta, Georgia. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, August 9th in the Chapel of Marietta First Baptist Church at 148 Church Street, Marietta, Ga. A visitation will take place in the Chapel beginning at 2:00 pm with a funeral service to follow at 3:00 pm.  For those who are able to attend, a brief graveside service will take place at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Ga on Tuesday, August 11th at 10:00 am. 

Bertha Cantu Lines was born in Bastrop, Texas to Daniel and Santos Cantu on February 4, 1934. She was born into a Christian home with missionary parents. She attended Howard Payne Baptist University, where she dedicated her musical talents to the Lord. She served in missions throughout her life, including in Panama, where she worked as a missionary associate, interpreter, Bible teacher and secretary for Southern Baptist missionaries. While serving in the Republic of Panama she married Laurence William Lines on January 20, 1962 in Balboa, Panama in the Panama Canal Zone. Bertie and Larry attended First Baptist Church of Marietta for many years and played a key role in launching the Hispanic ministry, Primera Iglesia Bautista de Marietta. Later in life they attended Burnt Hickory Baptist Church and were members of the Joy Class. 

She served in several other countries such as Spain, Hungary, and Nicaragua. She directed choirs, taught Bible studies, interpreted for missions and enjoyed hosting family and friends in her home.  She was well known as an excellent cook and many people looked forward to her homemade meals, often with an international flavor.  Being a grandmother and great-grandmother was one of her greatest joys. She loved her 10 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. 

She is preceded in death by Larry Lines (husband), Daniel and Santos Cantu (parents), Ezra Cantu (brother), Eli Cantu (brother) and Daniel Presley (grandson). She is survived by Obie (Tootsie) Buitron (sister), Melodie Presley (daughter), Dean Presley (son-in-law), Laurence Lines II (son), Christy Lines (daughter-in-law), and Eli Lines (son); nine grandchildren - Karyn Presley, Laura Lines, Katy Lines, Eli Lines II, Levie Lines, Esther Lines, Sam Lines, Susanna Lines, and William Lines; 7 great-grandchildren - Theo Ghann, Kent Clark, Nova Lines, Justin Lines, Waylon Lines, Franklin Lines and Adelynn Lines and countless other loving extended family members too vast to list here.

We wish to extend our sincere thanks to each person who has been a part of Bertie's care and our family's lives through the years. You have each blessed us with your prayers, food, time, friendship and love. It will never be forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Bertha Lines's memory to Primera Iglesia Bautista de Marietta c/o Pastor Jorge Rodriguez, 2581 Spring Road, Smyrna, Ga 30080 or at  http://www.pibmarietta.com/