Alberta Hagood

Alberta Hattie “Bert” Mackey Hagood was born April 12, 1916, in Greenville, South Carolina, to the late Will and Clara Bell Thompson Mackey. After 100 years of life, God called her home on Friday, April 15, 2016, where she was resting peacefully in her bed. After many years of travel she made Atlanta, Georgia her home with her son and caregiver, Roy Hagood.

Alberta was the baby girl of all of her siblings: sisters Jannie Mae, Louise and Octavia, who were followed by her brothers James and Broadus.

Alberta was privileged enough to attend St. John's Elementary School with her brothers and sisters. After leaving school she established her work ethics by working on her daddy’s farm. This gave young Alberta the desire to win and the drive to work hard for the things she wanted in life. She started her own business, a club called "The Mackey Drive In" that fueled her to push harder and do more.

In 1941, she left Greenville, South Carolina and headed for New York. She met and married Russell Andrews and had two sons, Russell and Roy. She later married John Henry Hagood and had her youngest son, Ervin.

Alberta took New York by storm and made friends wherever she went. She was so passionate about helping others and was the true definition of a “people” person. She touched the lives of everyone she encountered through her infectious smile, paired with her no-nonsense attitude. Alberta was sure to leave her mark wherever she went. This could be seen at her “Alberta’s Soul Food Restaurant” in Harlem, New York.

Alberta valued her family more than anything and she adored her grandchildren. This can be seen by her raising her granddaughter Ashlee, the daughter she never had. One of her greatest memories was taking them from New York to Greenville for the entire summer to be with their cousins at the infamous "303 Pear St." She gained so much joy in making a memorable summer for them. She would throw parties at the house and invite all the neighborhood kids; Alberta was a grandmother to them all. No matter how up in age she got or ailments that would strike her strong body she always felt like she was "Sweet 16" at the ripe age of __.

She found love one last time & married, Mr. Ned Gregg of Bronx, New York who preceded her in death along with sons, Ervin and Russell and grandsons, Ervin Julius and Russell, Jr. She leaves to mourn her departure: son, Roy Lee (Genii) Hagood of Atlanta, GA; her best friend and sister, Octavia Durant of Philadelphia , PA; her grandchildren, Tenaha, Rushodd, Faquan, Lakeisha, Donna, Roy Jr., Roselyn, Tierah, Roishanda, Ashlee and Austin, 25 great-grandchildren ; sisters-in-law, Hollis Hagood and Ann Lester, both Greenville and a host of nieces ,nephews, other relatives and friends.