Harriet Wilberta "Bertie" Bushnell

1934 - 2010

Harriet Wilberta "Bertie" Bushnell, 76, of Eldred, went to be with the Lord on May 29, 2010, at 1:45 p.m., surrounded by her family after a short illness.

She was born on April 25, 1934, in Carrollton, to the late Guy and Wanda (Standefer) Cunningham. She was married to Leslie Bushnell on Dec. 24, 1952, in Pocahontas, Ark., and he preceded her in death on Jan. 5, 2000.

She is survived by three daughters, Mary Elizabeth (husband, Randy) Sharrow of Carrollton, Cynthia Kay Driver of Carrollton and Sheryl Leigh (fiancé, Keir Goatley) Bushnell of Springfield; seven grandchildren, Joseph (wife, Kathy) Sharrow, Elizabeth (husband, Adam) Schneider, Jessica Driver, Allison Sharrow and Joshua Sharrow, all of Carrollton and Jasen (wife, Jane) Driver and Chelsea Bushnell, both of Springfield. There are four great-grandchildren, Jordyn Sharrow of White Hall and Chloe Schneider, Summer Schneider and Gunnar Sharrow, all of Carrollton. Bertie has two surviving sisters, Guyla Duba of Carrollton and Mary Brizendine of Woodson. There is a half brother, Craig Welch of Effingham; and a half sister, Sylvia Rotoff of Chatham, also surviving. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.

Bertie graduated from Carrollton High School and had many professions throughout her life, including working for Columbiana Seed Co., working as a playground supervisor at Eldred Grade School, and working at the Carrollton Laundromat. She was instrumental in working with the Red Cross during the flood of 1973 to ensure that the National Guard troops as well as community volunteers were fed and cared for.

Bertie was a member of the Eldred Baptist Church and had previously been a deaconess of the church. She loved going to the community yard sales (especially to find shoes and angels), caring for her geraniums, sitting outside in the summer visiting with her neighbors, watching her favorite TV shows, and caring for the many hummingbirds she attracted each year with her bird feeders. She loved being surrounded by her family and friends, expecting everyone to show up when there was a family event.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday at the Airsman-Hires Funeral Home in Carrollton. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Carrollton City Cemetery. Following the burial a love meal will be provided at the Eldred Baptist Church fellowship hall. Memorials may be made to Blessing Hospice, Boyd Memorial Hospital, Eldred Baptist Church or Community Counseling Center in Alton. Condolences may be left online at www.airsman-hires.com.