Bertha Frances (Wilkinson) Sweeney

Bertha Frances (Wilkinson) Sweeney passed from life on earth into the presence of her Heavenly Father, surrounded by her family at home, on January 19, 2026. Bertha was born April 15, 1938, the ninth child and fifth daughter of Ed and Cora Wilkinson of Indian Creek (Casey County), KY.

Bertha was preceded in death by her husband, Garnett (Snake) Sweeney; her parents; and her nine siblings.

She is survived by three daughters, George Ann Sweeney, Garnetta Smith (Lawrence), and Tracey Lynn Sweeney; four grandchildren, Jennifer Ann (Sweeney) Brockman, Aaron Garnett Bertram, Jason Paul Smith, and Edward Lawrence Smith (Ashley); three great-grandchildren, Jaxon Lloyd Brockman, Georgialynn Kelley Bertram, and Gideon Lawrence Smith; brother-in-law, Joel Sweeney; adopted niece, Kimberly Pierce Rayborn; and multi-generations of nieces and nephews.

Bertha professed faith in Jesus Christ at an early age at Pine Lick Baptist Church in Mt. Salem, KY, where her family worshipped and served for many decades. More recently, she and her husband were members of, and active at, Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Liberty, KY.

Bertha was well loved by all who knew her, which is a large number of people, having served as a Kindergarten Aide for over 20 years, retiring at age 78. Bertha was a precocious and very smart child and had she been given the opportunity in her day, would have excelled as a schoolteacher. She was widely known for her gifts of sewing, cooking, baking, and general hospitality toward all she encountered.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, January 23, 2026, at McKinney-Brown Funeral Home with Lawrence Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Casey County Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at McKinney-Brown Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Aaron Garnett Bertram, Jason Paul Smith, Edward Lawrence Smith, Jaxon Lloyd Brockman, Paul Wilkinson, Jr., and Ambers Wilkinson, Jr.

Honorary pallbearers will be Joel Sweeney, Kenneth Dewey Patton, and David McKinney.

Memorial contributions may take the form of donations In Memory of Bertha Sweeney to Hospice of Lake Cumberland at 100 Parkway Drive, Somerset, KY 42503.

Arrangements are entrusted to McKinney-Brown Funeral Home. An online guestbook is available at www.mckinneybrown.com.