Bernice “Bernie” Ledbetter Savage

Bernice "Bernie" Ledbetter Savage, 86, gentle and loving mother and grandmother and wife of Robert L. Savage of Apex, passed away Monday, October 24, 2016 at Heartfields Memory Care in Cary after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease.

Born January 8, 1930, in Canton, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Glen & Ada Ledbetter. Bernie grew up in the mountains of North Carolina in a household of ten children. She earned her degree at Brevard College where she also played basketball. Bernie and Bob moved to Apex in 1956 where they raised their three children -Bobby, Tina and Jerry. Bernie worked for many years with the North Carolina legislature but her true vocation was being a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ. She was a member of Apex Baptist Church and active in Sunday school and children's ministry. Bernie was one of the first children's program teachers of Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) when Anne Graham Lotz brought the program to Raleigh in 1975. In fact, in the later stages of her illness she was still able to sing the songs she taught the children. Her love for Jesus and joyful response to hymns and scripture continued until the end of her life. She was a selfless woman who was a listener and friend to all and devoted grandmother to her seven grandchildren. She gave comfort to her family and confirmed her dedication to Christ with a note left in her bible indicating her wish for her epitaph: "She Prayed".

She is survived by son Bobby Savage and wife Sharon of Jupiter, FL; daughter Tina Boyce and her husband Stephen of Cary, NC; and son Jerry Savage and his wife Melody of Cary, NC; 5 granddaughters, Terran Savage Molina and her husband Adolfo of Birmingham, AL, Chelsea Savage of Raleigh, NC, Kristina Boyce Weatherly and her husband Christopher of Raleigh, NC, Molly Boyce Edgington and her husband John of Washington, DC, and Carly Savage of Raleigh, NC; 2 grandsons, Ryan Boyce of Raleigh, NC & Stuart Savage of Fuquay-Varina, NC. She is also survived by her 2 brothers, Marvin Ledbetter and his wife Nancy of Taylors, SC and Howard Ledbetter of Candler, NC; 3 sisters, Loriece Ashburn of Concord, NC, Ruth Albertson of Southport, FL, & Helen Armfield of Oxon Hill, MD; and 11 nieces and 9 nephews. She was predeceased by her brothers George and Glen Jr. and her sisters Sarah and Leona.

There will be a private graveside ceremony for immediate family only but all are welcome to join a celebration of life to honor Bernie on Saturday, November 19th at noon at Apex Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Alzheimer's Association – Eastern Chapter: 3739 National Drive, Suite 110 Raleigh, NC 27612. Please put "In Memory of Bernie Savage" in the memo line. Also online at www.alz.org/nc or Apex Baptist Church: 110 South Salem Street, Apex, NC 27502 – please put "In Memory of Bernie Savage" in the memo line.