Berta Fay Botkin (Miner) was the daughter of the late James Leonard Miner and Naomi Miner (Black). She was born in Black, Missouri on April 28, 1932.
Surviving Berta Fay is her devoted daughter Donna Botkin, her son in law Allen Faber, her Best Friend, caregiver and sister in law Betty Rudloff, daughter in law, Marsha Botkin and special granddaughter Amy Craft. Berta Fay is also survived by many loving family members and friends.
She was also preceded in death by the men in her life. Husband, Edward – son, Dwight – grandson, Chad – and her companion of 18 years, Brutus, Also, predeceasing Berta Fay were her four sisters – Della, Ona, Nellie and Dorothy and three brothers – Elmer, Ralph and Gene.
Berta Fay was a star volley ball player and student at Lesterville High School. She had quick wit about her and loved to laugh. Simple things made her happy – her weekly trips to the beauty parlor, going to church, eating at Hodaks and family time. Before Ed’s death, she spent a lot of time fishing with him.
Berta Fay was also a breast cancer survivor. Just another example of what a strong woman she was.
Berta Fay met the love of her life, Edward O’Donnell Botkin, from Centerville, MO at a community pie supper. They were married April 8, 1950 and moved to St Louis in 1953. Berta Fay and Ed had two children, Donna and Dwight. They celebrated 56 years of marriage. When she was asked the secret to their long marriage, she would joke that she worked days and he worked nights.
She was ahead of her time by taking continuing education classes to learn accounting and typing on an electric typewriter. Berta Fay was a member of Teamster 688, working in truck line offices. She was a devoted mother who always had time to help with Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and Sunday School. Berta Fay wanted her children to know how to appreciate their blessings. Donna and Dwight would accompany her to deliver food baskets to families in need, as well as boxes of candy to nursing home residents who had no family at Christmas. She made a joke recently that you can’t deliver candy anymore because everybody is a diabetic.
Berta Fay was a proud Christian. She was a member of Arnold United Baptist Church for many years. Her faith helped her with losing her son and grandson at such early ages. One of Berta Fay’s proudest moments was when church proclaimed her “Grandmother of the Year” in 2010. She loved her faith, family, food and St. Louis Cardinals. She could tell you the Christian ballplayers and loved that they professed their faith. If a Cardinal baseball game was on TV, you better hold the conversation until commercials. She also loved her cable tv because she could watch game shows all day long when there was no baseball. You never left Berta Fay’s house hungry or without having a great cup of coffee. Her great southern cooking will never be matched.
She had a big warm heart. She treated her nieces and nephew that grew up in the same house the same way she treated her own children, whether is was taking them on vacation or discipline.
Services Provided by Kutis Funeral Home, 5255 Lemay Ferry Road, St. Louis, MO 63129. Thursday, September 17, 2026. Visitation 9:30-11. Service at 11 am, followed by internment at Park Lawn Cemetery.
The family would like to thank BJC Palliative Care, Evelyn’s House and especially her personal caregivers for their care and support.
Donations to Evelyn’s House, c/o BJC Hospice, 1000 N. Mason Road, 63141, or your favorite charity.
Baseball, IT’S NOT JUST A GAME!! DB
Love this lady. She was ahead of her time. Always very kind to our family. We are going to miss her. Thank you for being part of our family. We will miss you.
Thank you my dear.
I’m going to miss our visits and the old stories and playing with Brutus
I’ll miss you
Howie, I think she liked your visits more than your help around the house! Thanks
I will miss my neighbor of 37 years. She was a sweet person and always fun to visit. I’m glad I went to visit her 2 weeks ago with some tomatoes from my garden.
Thanks for being such a good neighbor all these years!
Thanks for being such a good neighbor all these years !
Berta Fay was such a special lady to me. We attended church with her and Ed for many years. I always enjoyed talking to her and developing a friendship with her. We exchanged Christmas cards and notes every year. I will miss her and her kindness. My prayers are with her family.
She loved their church family!
My condolences to the family.
Thank you, Bob!
Donna, so sorry to hear your beloved Mother had passed away. I loved all the Cardinal and Hodak’ s stories! May all the angels and saints wrap their arms around her and lead her to paradise 🙏
Thank you, Kathleen,
What a wonderful lady ❤️. She lived a great life.
Lost for words… Sending my deepest condolences and love. My mom Pauline Dement and Dad Jim had known your Mom and Dad since teenagers. Many precious memories. Now they are having a great visit ! I have a picture of your Mom, of me sitting on her lap. Sincerely, Vickie (Dement)Hartman
Thank you, Vicki. Our parents had a special long term friendship.
I’ll never forget the countless trips to St Louis as a kid to see Aunt Bertafay. And although it feels like a massive part of my childhood is gone, I find peace knowing she is with grandma now with the most beautiful wings you could ever imagine. I can hear both aunt Bertafay and grandma laughs as we speak. God hold her close. 🙏
Thank you dear Ashley