1921 November 1

Everardo Navas de Molina born on "All Souls Day" or "Los Dias de Muertos" to Filiberto Navas de Valdes (8-22-1892/ 29)and Lucia Molina de Zaldivar (12-13-1896/ 24) in Toluca, Mexico, Mexico.

1922 July 31

Bertha born to Orson P. Brown (5-22-1863 / 59) and Angela Gabaldon (8-10-1900 / 21) in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. She has an older brother Silvestre Gustavo Brown born 12-17-1919.

Bertha blessed by Arwell Lee Pierce

1924 January 29

Bertha's second brother, Pauly G. Brown, born in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

1925 July 29

Bertha's third brother, Aaron Saul Brown, born in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

1927 June 15

Fifth sibling, Maria Angela Brown, born in Colonia Dublan, Mexico

1929 March 30

Bertha's mother Angela is baptized by Nephi Thayne

Confirmed by Jose Ontiveros

1930 July 31

Bertha was baptized by Toribio Ontiveros in a river at Colonia Dublan, Chihuahua, Mexico. Confirmed by Juan Estrada

1930 April

Bertha and all her siblings and his four wives, resealed to Orson in Salt Lake City by President Ivins, First Counselor to Church President Heber J. Grant.

1936 February 6

Sixth sibling, Heber Jedediah Brown, born and died in Colonia Dublán, Mexico.

1940 July 29

Martha Gabaldon, Angela's sister's infant daughter was born and joins the  Angela and Orson P. Brown family four years later.

1943 May 23

Bertha appointed as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) by Heber J. Grant, J. Reuben Clark, David O. McKay to serve in the Mexican Mission. Certificate No. 4945. Served in Toluca, Pueblo, and Cuautla.

Bertha met newly baptized Everardo (Nano) Navas de Molina

1944 November 14

Bertha honorably released from her mission by Mission President Arwell L. Pierce.  Gustavo also released from his mission around this same time.

President of the Mexican Mission Arwell Pierce ordained Everardo Molina Navas to the Aaronic Priesthood on November 26, 1944 at the Toluca Branch.

Between 1940 & 1946

Bertha typed her father Orson Pratt Brown's journal that he had written, and at times dictated to her. Over the years Orson wrote four to nine journals. Later he sold the rights to his story to an investor named Rutledge in AZ or NM.

1946 January 18

Bertha Brown (23) married Everardo Navas de Molina (24) in the Mesa, Maricopa, Arizona Temple in a double ceremony with her brother Pauly G. Brown (21) and his bride Lilia Gonzalez (8-19-27)(18). A reception for them was hosted by members of the Skousen family in Mesa, Arizona.

1946 March 10

Orson P. Brown died at age of 83.  Bertha was unable to attend the funeral which broke her heart.

1946 November 6

Longtime friend  Arwell L. Pierce stood in as Proxy for Orson when his wife Angela and their children Aron, Pauly and Mary were sealed in the Mesa Temple. Bertha was sealed to Orson November 2, 1968.

1947 January 6

First child, Ana Lucia Navas de Brown, was born in Toluca, Mexico on "Los Dias de Reyes" or "Epiphany" or  "The 12^th day of Christmas".  While Nano worked in Puebla, Bertha taught English, did some sewing, taught crocheting.

1948 December 29

Gustavo Brown(29), Bertha's oldest brother, married Emma Tarin (4-30-1925)(23)

1951 February 10

El Director de Educacion Publica presented Bertha Brown de Navas, con domicilio en las Calles de Plutarco Gonzalez Num. 22 en las Ciudad de Toluca, Mexico, a position to teach at the Escuela Normal para Varones y Secundaria Numero Uno, sus Catedras de Ingles de los Grupos A,B,C y D in Toluca, Mexico

1951

Bertha worked for Dr. Frank J. Devlyn at Devlyn Optical on 305 N. Kansas in El Paso, Texas for a year or more.

c.1952

Bertha typed a story about Captain James Brown for Don Baker titled "Early Settler Served Many Callings" published in the Ogden newspaper.

1952 January 21

Bertha petitioned for divorce from Everardo at the First Civil Court of the District  of Bravos, State of Chihuahua, Republic of Mexico. Married 6 years.

1952 May 26

Everardo notified with a summons through the Judge of the First Civil Court of the city of Matamoros, State of Tamaulipas, Republic of Mexico

1952 July 4

Bertha divorce from Everardo finalized. Bertha received full custodial rights to their two daughters, Ana Lucia (5) and Arleen(sp) Angela (3) Navas.

1953 May 15

Bertha petitioned for a temple divorce from Everardo by writing to President David O. McKay

1953 June 23

Matthew Cowley acknowledged Bertha's application for a temple divorce from Everardo, and requested she send a letter from her bishop or branch president to explain the situation.

1953 September 12

Maria (Mary) Angela Brown(26), Bertha's sister, married John (Red) Dennis (Denny)Hayden (9-10-30) (23)

1953 November 21

Bertha E. Brown (31) married her second husband Sgt.George Ronald Ferrara II (22) at the home of Mary & Red Hayden & Angela Gabaldon Brown, 5504 Paraguay, El Paso, Texas. Performed by Willard Whipple (Bishop of El Paso Second Ward). Witnesses were Sylvester J. Gaydash, Mary Hayden.  Drove to Detroit, Michigan to live in Herman Gardens near Ronnie's mother Irene Tessmer Ferrara and his brothers Kenneth and Jimmy.

1954 January 12

Bertha completed a course and final examination from instructor Alvin E. Russell for Southwest National Bank. Minimum passing grade needed to be 75, Bertha received an 84.

1954 February 5

Bertha received a letter of commendation from Joseph F. Irvin, president of the Southwest Bank on 308 Mills Street in El Paso, Texas for her "fine showing" and "working to increase her knowledge of banking."

1954 August 14

Bertha began work at the REX Income Tax Record Company at 3039 Davison Avenue West, Detroit, Michigan.

1955 February 17

Bertha again petitioned for a temple divorce from Everardo by writing to Hugh B. Brown

1955 February 26

Bertha terminated her employment with the REX Income Tax Record Company.

1955 May 19

Third child, George Ronald Ferrara III, was born in Detroit, Harrison Township, Michigan while family was living in the Herman Gardens tenement apartments.  George's nickname was "Bootie" for the little cowboy boots he wore as a toddler.

1955 June 1

President David O. McKay informed Bertha that her temple sealing to Everardo had been cancelled on May 30, 1955

1955 September 10

Bertha's maternal grandmother, Maria Duran de Holguin, died at age of  79 in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico

1955 October 24

"Inolvidable Bertha" in Detroit, Michigan receives a letter from Everardo.

He asks her to write to him at Escuela de Ensenanzas Especiales Nol 24 (Edifivio Esc. Martinez) Av. "D" Tijuana, B.C.

1956 May 25

Bertha ended her employment with The Machined Parts Corporation at 6209 Hamilton Avenue in Detroit, Michigan. The General Manager Ray R. Buckman gave her a high recommendation as a valuable asset to their company.

1957

Bertha was feeling ill and her arthritis was bothering her. She went to the doctors at the Army base. They diagnosed her as beginning menopause at age 35. Turned out she was pregnant with Jeffrey.

At this time Bertha's Army allotment from Ronnie was $179. per month. With this amount she paid the mortgage, utilities, food, car payment, etc. to raise five children.

To augment her income Bertha would fill up Georgie's baby buggy with greeting cards, Bibles, and other items that she would have Lucy sell door to door.  Also the girls would deliver telephone books. Later during the summers the girls would pick tomatoes, green beans, etc. for money and to take home to can for meals.

1958 January 4

Fourth child, Jeffrey Michael Ferrara, was born in Wayne, Garden City, Michigan. After "Bubbles" was born Bertha noticed that her arthritis disappeared. Jeffrey quickly became bachelor Uncle Archie Tessmer's favorite child. Archie, an avid photographer, took lots of pictures of the boys. Around this time George received his second nickname "Waldo".

c. 1958

Mary, Angela, Bunny and Candy visited Bertha for a week. Angela fell down the basement stairs and suffered from her bruises.

1958 February 9

Jeffrey Michael Ferrara blessed by Bishop Philip Schmidt, Jr., Elder, at the Dearborn Ward, Detroit Stake, Michigan

1959

Things started really going wrong with this marriage. Bertha began to have fainting spells. Sometimes they were feigned because she might have been so upset and at the end of her rope with Ronnie so she would collapse into a chair or carefully onto the floor for lack of any other recourse to end their bickering.

1960 February 16

Certificate of Naturalization No. 8160625 issued to Bertha Erma Ferrara

Social Security 466-50-8871

1962 June 13

Fifth child, David Lawrence Ferrara, was born in Dearborn Heights, Wayne, County, Michigan

Lucy returns from Texas. Bertha's married life was full of strife.

c.1962

During one of Bertha's illness, one of the counselor's in the bishopric, Br. Robert Nicholas, took his nephew Bobby Ingram along with his two friends Tony Butela and Jimmy Pike, to the hospital to give Bertha a blessing before they went to the concert where they were performing, the three were the singing group "The Lettermen."

1966 January

Jeffrey baptized at age 8 in the Livonia Stake Center, Michigan. These records were lost.

1966 July 29

Property Settlement Agreement for Divorce signed. Bertha to receive the house at 5946 Amboy Road, Dearborn, Michigan, along with all household goods. Ronnie to keep his 1964 Volkswagen and his personal property.

George was 10, Jeffrey 7, David 3.  Bertha and Ronnie were married 13 years.

1966 November 4

Divorce between George Ronald "Ronnie" Ferrara II (36) and Bertha (45) finalized.  Ronnie to pay $69. per month per son to Bertha for child support until each reaches age of 21.

Ronnie living at Edgewood Arsenal, Harford County, Maryland during this time with a 22 year old pregnant girl (Rosemarie Plendl) he had brought back from Wurzburg, Germany. Rosemarie had been a government office assistant at the U.S. Army base where Ronnie was stationed. 

Ronnie married Rosemarie today in Romeo, County of Macomb, Michigan with Anthony and Eleanor Ferrara as witnesses. (Their first child born Feb 1967, Regine Ingrid Ferrara, in 1969 their second child Peter Mark Ferrara was born)

1966 November 10

Ronnie Quit Claimed his interest in house on Amboy Road to Bertha.

1967 January 12

Bertha petitions for custody and removal of George, Jeffrey and David from Ronnie so that she can take them to El Paso, Texas. Entered in the records of the court for Detroit, County of Wayne, State of Michigan. Civil Action No. 63516  F/C No. 240-329

Bertha sells house at 4956 Amboy Road and moves to El Paso, Texas with George, David, and Jeffrey.

1967 January 27

Bertha purchased the house at 10137 Luella, Villa Lago, Lot 10, Block 2 Unit 1 by assuming a promissory Note held by George & Faye Nordloh at El Paso Federal Savings and Loan for $12,000. at 5.75% interest. House built approx. 1964.

1967 June 20

Bertha's mother, Angela, died during the night in her sleep in El Paso, Texas.

1967 September 14

Bertha writes her Last Will & Testament (Will #1)

1968 January 20

Angela was sealed to her husband, Orson Pratt Brown, by proxy, in the Arizona Temple, Mesa, AZ.

1968 November 2

Bertha was finally sealed to Orson, by proxy, in the Arizona Temple, Mesa, AZ.

1969 December 6

Jeffrey Michael Ferrara was baptized, at age 11, by J. Dean Hutchison, Elder.

Confirmed by Bishop L. Burton Redd, High Priest in El Paso, Texas. This second baptism occurred because his records were lost for his first baptism.

1970 May 27

Lucy marries Michael Leo Murphy in Manti, Sanpete, Utah. Reception off Mulholland Drive, in Agoura, CA.

Bertha arrives with George, Jeffrey and David and some of Bertha's Turkish or Greek friends. While Lucy and Mike were at Lake Arrowhead for two days Bertha left for Disneyland then home with her friends, leaving Jeffrey and David at Ila Murphy's home in CA.  When Lucy and Mike returned to pick up their belongings and continue on their honeymoon to Carmel and San Francisco they had to take the boys with them.  Finally toward the end of summer Jeffrey and David separately returned to El Paso. Apparently Bertha may have forgotten about them. The boys still think it is a hoot to talk about when "we were on your honeymoon….."

1970 June 18

Bertha begins work to convert the garage into an apartment.

1970 July 22

David Lawrence Ferrara (8) was baptized by Jack T. Beecroft, High Priest

Confirmed on 2 August 1970 by John E. Knudsen, High Priest in El Paso, Texas.

1972 April 29

Bertha's third grandchild, Michael Glenn Murphy, is born in Provo, Utah to Lucy and Michael

1973 January 30

Bertha applies to Zoning Board of Adjustment to allow her to rent out a sleeping room in her home to pay utility bills her income won't cover.

1973 March 12

Bertha recorded a Last Will & Testament at the offices of Endlich & Hughes, Attorneys at Law, 606 Myrtle Avenue, El Paso, Texas (Will #2)

1975 April 26

Nano's mother, Lucia Molina de Salazar died in Toluca, Mexico

1976 February 6

Bertha's sister Mary Hayden's husband "Red" died at age 46 in El Paso, Texas after 22 1/2 years of marriage.

1976 March 11

Another application to make more modifications on the house.

1976

Bertha visited Lucy in Billings, Montana.

1976 September 15

Bertha's fifth grandchild is born, Amanda Lee Murphy, in Billings, Montana

1977 March 17

Jeffrey Michael Ferrara endowed in SLC Temple.

1977 March 19

Jeffrey Michael Ferrara called to the Washington Seattle Mission, Mercer Island, WA.

1977 April 7

Bertha's sister Mary Brown Hayden (50) marries second husband, Elmer Irvin Green (6-17-25 / 52).

1977 April 16

Jeffrey received his Patriarchal Blessing from Elder M. Williams, Patriarch of Lewiston, Idaho Stake

1977 May 9

Bertha building a "guest house" in backyard for George to live in. Completed 11-29-1977.

1978 November 30

Bertha building a storage room in back of house.

c1978

Bertha wrote a poem, "Poem for the Living"

When I am dead, cry for me a little.

Think of me sometimes, but not too much

It is not good for you or your wife or your husband or your children to allow your thoughts to dwell too long on the dead.

Think of me, now and again as I was in life.

At some moment which is pleasant to recall

But not too long

Leave me in peace, as I shall leave you, too in peace,

While you live Let your thoughts be with the living.      BEF

1979 March

Jeffrey released from his mission to Seattle, Washington Mission by Pres. Cardon.

1979 March 29  to

         April 3 rd

Michael, Lucy, Mikey and Amanda Murphy from California visited Bertha in El Paso. This was to be the last time they saw her alive. Jeffrey just returned from his mission. See photographs

1979 November

Bertha recorded on cassette tapes her personal history from birth to around the age of 17 years.

Bertha's health was very bad; she was on oxygen due to difficulty breathing.

1979 December 6

Bertha drove herself to the Sierra Medical Center and was admitted.

1979 December 15

Pauly and Lilly Brown visit Bertha in the hospital. Bertha tells "Patrona" that she nearly died the night before.

1979 December 16

 Sunday 4:35 PM

Bertha died at age of 57 at Sierra Medical Center, 1250 E. Cliff, El Paso, Texas,  while under the care of Dr. Chester McDanald.  Her death was attributed to "severe pulmonary hypertension with right heart failure" due to complications of repeated bouts with pneumonia causing scarring on lungs. Her son, George Ronald Ferrara III signed the Certificate of Death.

Bertha was employed as the Director of the El Paso City-County Nutrition center at 4824 Alberta, El Paso, Texas 79905, earning $883.33 month ($10,000.per yr.)

1979 December 18

Obituary in the El PasoTimes and Herald Post

"BROWN

Bertha E. Brown of 10137 Luella Street passed away Sunday. She had been a resident of El Paso 15 years. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 8^th Ward. Survivors: Daughter Lucy Ann Murphy, San Jose California. Sons: George R. Ferrara III, David L. Ferrara, both of El Paso. Jeffrey M. Ferrara, Salt Lake City, Utah. Sisters: Mary B. Hayden, Emma Evans, both of El Paso. Gwendolyn Klein, Mesa, Arizona, Martha Gardner, Yuma, Arizona, Anna Encke, California, Elizabeth Howell, New York City, N.Y. Brothers: Gus Brown, Mexico, Pauly G. Brown, El Paso, Aaron Brown, Tempe, Arizona, Orson Brown, Salt Lake City, Utah, Grant Brown, Port Angelus, Washington. 6 grandchildren. Funeral Services will be held at 2 PM Wednesday at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Bishop Burton Durr officiating, interment will be in Evergreen East Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be George Ferrara, Jeffrey Ferrara, David Ferrara, Eddie Hayden, Michael Hayden, Michael L. Murphy, Gus Brown. Arrangements by Harding-Orr & McDaniel at 3707 Pershing Drive  566-2911

1979 December 19

 Wednesday

Funeral was handled by Harding-Orr and McDaniel Funeral Home. Funeral services were held at the L.D.S. Stake Center on 1212 Sumac Drive in El Paso, Texas. Pallbearers were George Ferrara, Jeffery Ferrara, David Ferrara, Eddie Hayden, Michael Hayden, Michael L. Murphy, Gustavo Brown. Bishop Burton W. Durr officiated. Eulogy by Jim Kolster, speakers were Eddie Hayden, Dean Hutchinson, and Guillermo Baldaras, Sr.  Music conducted by Barbara Cardon, Organist Barbara Jean West. Songs: "O My Father" and "Some Time We'll Understand."

Bertha buried at Evergreen East Cemetery, 12400 E. Montana, El Paso, Texas Site A-14D-4

The turn out for the funeral was very large. Many busloads of her friends and the people from the nutrition center arrived.  Many of them talked to Bertha's children and expressed their condolences and kind words about Bertha.  Everardo, and his second wife Norma Young, along with Carlos and Eugenia Nava, drove from Toluca, Mexico to attend the funeral.

1979 December 20

Bertha's five children and witnesses (Michael L. Murphy, and Helen Marie "Candy" Hayden), signed and ratified Bertha's Last Will and Testament (Will #3). Pauly and Lily Brown volunteered to locally assist the Estate.

One daughter received the 1974 2-door metallic blue Ford Maverick, which she was able to sell for $600. She rented a trailer to take her inherited items with her. Also she has all Bertha's legal and personal papers, and her topaz ring. Later it was found that she also took Bertha's square brown leather photo album and many other family photos. George received Bertha's wedding rings and fine jewelry, her silver, some other photo albums and journal, tapestries, crystal punch bowl and cups, china, and other valuable items. Lucy received the cherry wood bedroom set and two boxes containing wigs, costume jewelry and miscellaneous items. Jeffrey and David received livingroom and bedrooms furnishings, dining room set, kitchen furnishings, linens, yard and home maintenance equipment, and everything else that remained.

1979 December 24

The Murphy family had to return to their home and jobs out of state. The Murphy's had flight reservations and returned to San Jose, CA

1979 December

A woman who identified herself as an acquaintance of Bertha's when this woman was a missionary in Toluca called to say that Bertha went out almost every night to dances and parties leaving the girls alone in the apartment. This woman said that as babies we would cry and cry until this woman and others would come through the window to calm us.

1980 January 9

George Ronald Ferrara III as beneficiary received a $5,000. check from Group Life & Health Insurance Co. from Bertha's Group 25472 Certificate 466508871.

George paid the funeral home $1,288.51, the cemetery, $773.75, and a marker for $199.50.

1980 February 5

George Ronald Ferrara III, as beneficiary of the Bertha E. Brown Texas County and District Retirement Plan received a check for $2,949.77. Also from Bertha's Blue Cross/Blue Shield term life insurance program she carried through the County of El Paso George received another check for $2,500.

1980 June 30

Mortgage balance on 10137 Luella Avenue in amount of $3,455.37 was paid in full today by Family Life Insurance Company Policy 750135170 L.  Family Life Insurance also sent George, Jeffrey and David each a check for $429.28.

1980 July 3

David and Jeffrey stored what they couldn't take of their inherited items then left to live in Salt Lake City. Some items left with Pauly and Lily Brown such as the dining room set, other items left with Mary Hayden. Listed 10137 Luella Ave with Priority One Realtors. Asking price $65,000. Six bedrooms, 2 3/4 baths, lot 72' X 105', home 2667 sf.

1981 April 27

Through Tom Cardon at Cardon & Co. Realtors, finally closed escrow  with Owner Financing on sale of 10137 Luella Avenue to Eduardo & Socorro Mendoza ($63,000 but they defaulted and were delinquent six+ months and left a lot of damage). Beverly G. Henry, A.C. Gonzalez's daughter bailed out the estate for $58,000 minus closing costs ($5,354.) in January 1982.

1981 July 9

Removed Mendoza's from property. All repairs and cleaning completed, on both sales have paid closing costs and commission. All documents and loan proceeds cleared.  Miss Henry's down payment and monthly payments to pay down costs.

1982 March 17

Bertha's seventh grandchild, Erin Gabrielle Murphy was born.

1983 February 17

$53,000 promissory note from Beverly G. Henry for 10137 Luella Ave, El Paso, Texas 79925 was paid in full.  Certified Mail checks for $10,000 each to George, Jeffrey, David and sibling. What a lot of work was this whole executrix job.

1984 January 13

Bertha's ninth grandchild, Aimee Jean Murphy was born.

1985 February 16

Bertha's eldest son, George Ronald Ferrara III married Karen L. Birdsong in Vale, Oregon.

1985 November 1

Bertha's tenth grandchild, Kristen Ashley Ferrara was born in LaHabra, CA.

1988 January 27

Bertha's eleventh grandchild, Justin Patrick Ferrara was born in LaHabra, CA.

1989 July 1

Bertha's youngest son, David Lawrence Ferrara married Stephanie Alice De Boca at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas.

c.November 1989

Nano's father, Filiberto de Valdes died in Toluca, Mexico

1991 March 11

Bertha's twelfth grandchild, David Lawrence Ferrara, Jr. born at Fort Riley, Kansas to David Lawrence and Stephanie Alice DeBoca Ferrara.

1991 November 5

Bertha's thirteenth grandchild, Chelsea Lynn Ferrara was born in LaHabra, CA.

1992 July 28

Bertha and Everardo temple sealing was re-instated by petition from Everardo

1993 September 23

David and Stephanie divorce.

2003 December

George and Karen divorce.