By Staff
Mrs. Bertha Marie Wilson Hurdle, 87, of 419 Handy’s Point Lane, Bath, NC, died Friday, November 14, 2008 at Beaufort County Hospital in Washington, N.C.
She was born May 26, 1921 in Camden County, NC, and was the daughter of the late Claude L. and Margaret Sawyer Wilson.
In 1942 she married James “Ralph” Hurdle. After World War II, the couple moved to Elizabeth City, NC, and founded Hurdle Hardware in 1946. She was a co-owner, officer, bookkeeper, and clerk in the family business until her retirement.
The Hurdles were long-time residents of Elizabeth City. Because of their declining health, the couple moved to their daughter’s home in Bath in 2003.
She was known as Bertha, Honey, Mama, Grandmama Bertha, Miss Bertha and Mrs. Hurdle. She answered to all of these names and lived up to the expectations of those who called upon her. She was a very versatile lady. She ranged in scope from extremely prim and proper to falling in a ditch trying to catch tadpoles for a school project. She amazed everyone with her knowledge of hardware as well as her ability to spot a shoe sale.
Mrs. Hurdle was an active member of the following Elizabeth City organizations: Chapter No. 44 Order of Eastern Star, serving as Worthy Matron in 1980, Matoaca Council No. 10 of Pocahontas and Rebecca’s Lodge No. 62.
Her husband preceded her in death in August 2006. Mrs. Hurdle also had two brothers, Everett Wilson and Claude Wilson, Jr., who preceded her in death. Her beloved surviving family members include her daughter Judith H. Edwards of Bath and son James R. Hurdle, Jr. and his partner Judy Yates of Elizabeth City, granddaughter Marci Edwards and her son Jameson and grandson James B. Edwards and his wife Anna. Also to be cherished for their love of Bertha are the Tess, Gower, and Maxey families whom she cared for greatly.
Mrs. Hurdle’s body has been accepted by Duke University School of Medicine as an anatomical gift.
Her memorial service will be conducted by the Rev. Charles E. McKenzie at City Road United Methodist Church, located at 511 North Road Street, Elizabeth City, NC, on Saturday, November 22, 2008 at 3 p.m. Fellowship and visitation with family and friends will be held in the church educational building immediately following the memorial ceremony.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that memorial contributions be made to City Road United Methodist Church Building Fund at PO Box 535, Elizabeth City, NC 27907 or to a charity of one’s choice.
Paid Obituary