Vera Bernice Kurtz

1920 - 2008

Vera Bernice Kurtz 1920 - 2008 Vera Bernice Kurtz was born to Charles and Sarah Elizabeth Williams in Nacogdoches, Texas, on New Years Eve, 1920. She peacefully went to be with her Lord Saturday evening December 6, 2008 at home in Coppell, Texas, with her daughter JoAnne and son-in-law David at her bedside. She was the seventh of eight children in a cotton farming family from Mission, Texas. Her father was killed in a train accident when she was eight years old following which the family of 5 sisters and 3 brothers moved to Oxnard, California. Later the family relocated to Orange, California. It was there she met and eventually married Joseph Kurtz. In 1943, their daughter JoAnne was born in Norfolk, Virginia where Joe was stationed during his service in the United States Navy. In 1946, their son Steven was born in Bakersfield, California. The family farmed in the Wheeler Ridge area south of Arvin for over 30 years. Known to most people as "Barney", Bernice was quite a presence in the Arvin and Bakersfield area during the nearly half-century she resided there. Barney was especially active in her children's schools while they were young and is also credited with starting a baseball team, and Camp Fire Girl and Cub Scout troops in her area. Barney was an active member of the Arvin Congregational Church. Whenever she heard of a neighbor in need, Barney would be one of the first to arrive with a freshly cooked ham, and to offer any sort of help she could. Once JoAnne and Steven had graduated high school, Barney turned her talents to helping others through the Assistance League of Bakersfield. Their special event every year was a fundraising bazaar at the Civic Auditorium. Untold dozens of jars of homemade pickles would arrive with her to be sold for charity. Another one of Barney's passions with the Assistance League was Operation School Bell, which seeks donations to provide clothing for under-privileged children at the beginning of each school year. Barney moved to Coppell, Texas in 1995 where she lived with her daughter and son-in-law who cared for her for the next 13 years. She was able to return to Bakersfield for visits several times. Bernice was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Kurtz, and son, Steven Kurtz. She is survived by her daughter, JoAnne Moore, son-in-law, David, and grandsons Daniel of New York City and Christopher of Coppell, Texas. Bernice is also survived by her daughter- in-law, Susan Kurtz, grandson, Matthew, and granddaughter, Stephanie, all of Bakersfield, California. Bernice is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Private services are being planned for Bernice in Bakersfield in the spring of 2009. The family requests that any memorial contributions be made to a favorite charity.