Bertha McGimsey

Bertha McGimsey LENOIR Bertha Deaton McGim-sey of Morganton, formerly of Lenoir, died on Easter Sunday morning, April 24, 2011 at the age of 109. She was a resident of Grace Ridge Retirement Community in Morgan-ton, N.C. for the past 20 years. Bertha was born on July 13, 1901 in Statesville, N.C. to the family of Burton Craig Deaton and Mary Elizabeth Deaton. She graduated from Statesville High School, attended Lenoir Rhyne College and taught in the Hickory and Lenoir City Schools. She married Gamewell Charles Mc-Gimsey of Lenoir, businessman and co-owner of City Flour & Feed, a wholesale grocery company. Their marriage produced three sons and one daughter, Charles Gamewell, Rose Ann, Richard Gibbs and Robert Theodore. During the Depression, "Mac" and Bertha leased a farm in Happy Valley because his customers were paying him in livestock and produce. In those days, Bertha worked hard raising her children and taking care of seven boarders, all teachers at nearby Happy Valley School. After five years, the family moved back to town, choosing as their home the former residence of Lt. Governor William C. Newland on S. Mulberry Street. The family joined First United Methodist Church of Lenoir, where Bertha was an active member, singing in the choir and helping to lead the United Methodist Women. She was also a charter member of Hibriten Garden Club, Lenoir Rose Club, Utopian Study Book Club, Lenoir Music Club and Brush & Pallet art club. She was an avid reader and poet, and an enthusiastic artist and homemaker; but her happiest times were spent working in her garden. Mac and Bertha's children married and produced fourteen grandchildren, twenty-eight great-grandchildren, and, just this past year, their first great-great-grandchild, making five contemporary generations. Besides these, Bertha is survived by her daughter, Mrs. Waitsel (Rose Ann) Smith of Lenoir; son, Richard (Dick) McGimsey and wife, Rachel, of Roanoke, Va.; and daughters-in-law, Mrs. Charles (Bette) McGimsey of Wilson, N.C. and Mrs. Robert (Patricia) McGimsey of St. Simons, Ga. She is preceded in death by her husband, Mac; sons, Charles (Charlie) McGimsey of Lenoir and Robert (Bob) McGimsey of Morganton; son-in-law, Waitsel (Bob) Smith of Lenoir; daugh-ter-in-law, Mrs. Robert (Jane) McGimsey of Mor-ganton; and great-grand-son, Abel Pitts of Mor-ganton. A celebration of life will be held at First United Methodist Church, Lenoir on Saturday, May 7 at 1 p.m. conducted by the Revs. Jamie Armstrong and Marietta Smith. Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church Building Fund, 309 Church St. NW, Lenoir, NC 28645 or to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690. Online condolences may be left at www. greer-mcelveenfuneral home.com. Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.