On February 9, 2025, at 2:15 PM, Shirley J. Berga was called home to live with our Lord and Savior.  Shirley was born on May 24, 1939, in Hampton, Virginia.  She was the first of ten children born to the union of Norman "Tiny" Combs and Annette Combs.  From an early age Shirley showed an intense desire to learn all she could.  As a teenager Shirley worked with her father as a bookkeeper for his businesses organizing and recording financial transactions.  She adored her parents and did all she could do to enrich their lives.

After graduating from James Weldon Johnson High School, Shirley enrolled at Virginia State University where she received her B.S. Degree in Health.  She was hired by the Richmond Public School System where she worked as a teacher.  Afterwards Virginia State University hired Shirley to teach health education.  After roughly 6 years Shirley transferred to Norfolk State University completing 10 years as a teacher in the Virginia School System.  Always thirsting for knowledge Shirley enrolled at Indiana University (IU) where she studied and received her Masters Degree in Health and Physical Education.  This is when she met her future husband Tessema Berga.  Shirley saw him struggling in the cafeteria on crutches with a broken leg and approached him to offer support as she often did. This chance meeting resulted in 55 years of marital bliss.

After IU Shirley moved back home to Hampton, VA; she applied for teaching positions in Detroit, D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia.  Detroit was the only school system that said come right away, the others said she would be able to start in the fall semester.  Shirley moved to Michigan in January and began teaching in the Detroit Public School System (DPS).  She taught both elementary and middle schools in Detroit for 39 years.  During those years she relayed many intriguing stories to me.  One particular story dealt with a student that was failing.  Shirley tried on many occasions to contact his parents to help intervene on his behalf.  The parents never responded until the child received a failing grade in her class.  The father immediately came to the school and confronted my mom.   Never one to step down my mother said, "he could have passed had you done your job".  The father pulled a gun on my mom, before he could utter a word, my mom snatched the gun from his hands and pointed it at him telling him to stay put while she called the police.  Clearly he did not call her bluff.  As a child she would always tell me "boy I'm cat fast", and she was.  During her last 16 years with DPS Shirley was promoted to the position of train the trainer.  Her job involved hosting workshops and training DPS Teachers on health, STD's and HIV.  She retired in 2009 after 49 years in education.

Shirley leaves to cherish her precious memories, her son Tessbekel A. Berga (Grefunda-Southfield MI), one granddaughter Morgan Weaver, two grandsons Brock  and Chance Berga (Southfield, MI), two Godchildren Casey and Cameron Berga (Ann Arbor, MI), sisters Barbara Jean Burge, Kim Combs (Northern, Virginia), Brothers Carlos Combs Sr. (Ozene), Keith Combs (Regina), Lonnie Combs (Sandra).  Sister-in-law Aster Bekele (Addis Ababa).  Special nieces Tinnya Hopson, Shawn Hopson (Capitol Heights, MD), Jaye Powell (Louis), Norma Sparks, Andrea Hopson-Cain (Linnie).  Special nephews Carlos Clayton Combs Jr., Taye Chala (Killeen, TX).  Special cousins Kebret Woldearegay (Addy Giday-Northern, VA), Special friends Taddesse GebreGiorgis (Bernadette-Rochester, MI).  Very Special Nurse Assistant, Nicole Sampson (Southfield, MI), and a host of relatives and close family members.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Tessema Berga, parents Norman & Annette Combs, brothers Vincent Combs, Novel Combs, sister Annette Deloris Hopson, brothers-in-law Alvin Hopson, Sam Burge, and Bekele Berga.

For those of you who knew my mom, you know there was a life lesson in everything she did, whether it be working for DPS, working in the Yard/fields, coaching and guiding family members and friends, or simply sitting and discussing current event.  She was an extremely hard working and serious person who loved to read and absorb information.  The one expression she would always say to me was "Tess, always be Vigilant".  One of many goals for Shirley was to help guide this family!  You are dearly loved and will be forever missed. May God guide your path and hold you close to his bosom!  We thank God for your life!

A wake will be held from 6-7:00 PM on Friday, February 21, 2025 at New Bethel Baptist Church, 3911 Big Bethel Road in Yorktown. A funeral service will be held at the church on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 11:00 AM with burial following in the church cemetery. Arrangements by W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home.