Bertha Ruth Hicks was born on May 26, 1934, to the late Cora Lee and John (Bo) Hicks in Montezuma, GA. Bertha Ruth, as she was fondly called, graduated from Macon County High School. In school and around the town Bertha Ruth was known for her strong singing voice. Many always would tell the story of how when she was young they would stand her on something in church so people could see this little person with that strong beautiful voice. She later met John (JW) Porter who was in the military and married him.
Bertha Ruth was known as a hard-working independent woman holding down, at times, four different jobs. She was one of the town’s top seamstress, House Keeping, Hot Comb Press and Curler. On Saturdays, nightly worked as Southern Frozen Food Plant. Along with raising children she also sang at churches and in a Gospel Group called The Spirits of Joy, who later travelled to Akron to sing. This is where she got the invite and encouragement to move to Akron from a former hair customer and resident of hometown. Her first home church in this city was New Trinity Baptist and along her journey she met someone who introduced her to Holiness Church of Christ Deliverance Center, Akron, OH. She later became a member of this local congregation and the entire fellowship under the Leadership of Apostle Sam Sallis. The Headquarters Church in Midland, PA, associate churches Mississippi, North Carolina, Connecticut, Massillon, Akron. This is where the Evangelist was born and later a Pastor.
Pastor Bertha received her Doctorate in Bible College from Barak Christian Life of Theology in Massillon while serving under the leadership of Pastor Bernard Lawson.

Pastor Bertha was preceded in death by parents, Cora Lee Lloyd and John Hicks, son John (Country) Porter, husband Henry (Papa) Butler and many family members.

Pastor Bertha leaves a legacy of children, Glorya (Burnette) Porter; Keith Porter; Pamela Porter all of Akron; Jerita Porter-Wallace, Sacramento, CA; Beverly Porter Bramlett, San Francisco, CA. Goddaughter Veronica Garnett, New Haven, CT. Siblings, Cecelia (Woodrow) White, Akron; Edna, Edith, Emily, Laura, Debra, Evelyn, Robert Hicks, Sam (Joyce) Moore, singer of Sam and Dave. 13 grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and an enormous group of Spiritual Children, devoted members of her church The House of Restoration.