Bertha Burgess

Bertha Burgess, age 87, of Caroleen, passed away Friday, November 1, 2024 while being surrounded by her loving family.

Bertha was born Wednesday, February 10, 1937 in Rutherford County to the late Benjamin Dewey Scruggs and Rose Marie Seeback Scruggs. She was a graduate of Cliffside High School, class of 1955. Bertha worked for Skyland Textiles for several years and for Watts Regulator for many years before retirement. She was a longtime member of Caroleen Methodist Church. Bertha loved shopping and camping, but her greatest joy was found in time spent with family.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Tom Smith; brothers, Benny Scruggs and Henry Scruggs, and sisters, Rose Lanier Walker and Annie Mae Scruggs Page.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband of sixty-eight years, Bobby Burgess; daughter, Debra Smith of Forest City; granddaughter, Jessica Winn (Steven) of Forest City and a host of nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 pm on Thursday, November 7th at the Harrelson Funeral Chapel with Reverend Norma Roberts officiating. Interment will follow at Rutherford County Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time at the funeral home.

Memorial donations are requested to Hospice of Cleveland County, 953 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC 28150 or to Caroleen Methodist Church, PO Box 187, Caroleen, NC 28019.