Thursday, July 7, 2011

Laura Fritts Bernhardt (1916 - 2011)

Glenna Sears sent is this sad news and obituary:

Karen, don’t know if you heard that a member of the Joseph Clarence Bernhardt family died this week.  Laura Fritts Bernhardt died Sunday, July 3, 2011 in Wilson.  She was married to Mother’s brother, Carl Bernhardt, and her children are Kitty Thomas (of Wilson) and Charles Bernhardt (of Lexington).  Her service and visitation were yesterday, July 6th, in Lexington.  She’s buried beside Uncle Carl at Forest Hill Memorial Park in Lexington.  The service was a celebration of a long life and a wonderful teacher, with lots of stories.  We were out of town until Tuesday evening but retrieved messages in time to head over to Lexington yesterday for the service.  I’ve attached the funeral home obituary.

Laura Fritts Bernhardt, 94, formerly of Yadkin College,NC, died July 3,2011, at Wilson Medical Center.


A graveside service will be held in Forest Hill Memorial Park on Wednesday, July 6, at 2:00 PM. The family will receive friends at Davidson Funeral Home from 12:30 to 1:30 prior to the service.

Mrs. Bernhardt was born October 30, 1916, in Davidson County, to David Thomas Fritts, Sr. and Lenora Belle Davis Fritts. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Carl E. Bernhardt, as well as brothers Dr. Olin Grady Fritts, D.T. Fritts, Jr., Charles Ray Fritts, sisters Mary Hoover, Afton Koontz, Willie Carol Brinkley, Ellen Lucille Fritts, Virginia Leonard, and half sister Gladys Wilson. One sister, Wanda Garner of Lexiington, survives, as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces/nephews who have memories of being taught in school or tutored by “Aunt Laura”.

Also surviving are her children Catherine (Kitty) Bernhardt Thomas and husband Vincent of Wilson, NC and Charles Bernhardt and wife Carol of Yadkin College, two grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.

Mrs. Bernhardt was a long time teacher in Lexington City and Davidson County school systems. She was an active member of Yadkin College Methodist Church as long as her health permitted.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Yadkin College Methodist Church, c/o Martha Walser, 465 Center Church Road, Lexington, NC 27295 or to Friends of Barton Library, Endowment Collection, P.O. Box 5000, Wilson, NC 27893, or to the charity of one’s choice.

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