Bertha Lance

Bertha Jean Lance



Brevard - Bertha Jean Lance, 94, died, July 6, 2008 at Tore's Home in Brevard.

She was the daughter of the late Thomas Hilliard Hampton, Jr. and Margaret Fleming Hamilton. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Thomas H. Hampton III and Edward Hampton.

"Bert" or "B.J." as she was known was born in Brevard, NC in 1914 and subsequently moved to Ironwood, Michigan and Nova Scotia, Canada-her mother's home providence.

While in Nova Scotia she was presented to Premier MacKenzie King and Prime Minister Baldwin of Great Britain. She was also presented to the Royal Canadian Parchment and given an Honorary Testimonial by the Royal Canadian Humane Association for bravery for assisting with a near drowning.

She returned to Brevard, graduating high school in 1930 and Montreat Normal School, (presently Montreat College) in 1934. While at Montreat she was the editor of the school newspaper and also was elected May Queen.

She was a legal secretary employed by Ramsey, Hill, Smart, Ramsey & Pratt for 43 years, retiring at the age of 77.

She loved life, her church and family. After retirement she made missionary trips to the Island of Macao, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and South China. At the age of 78 she rafted the Nantahala River. At 83 she walked 20+ miles for Relay for Life and at age 85 she climbed the Pyramid of the Sun and Moon in Mexico.

She volunteered with the Brevard Children's Center, Transylvania Community Hospital, Trend and Brevard Davidson River Presbyterian Church where she was a member for 78 years and was elected a deacon in 1984.

She loved music and was always singing and dancing. She held season tickets at the Brevard Music Center for many years.

She was a gentle, loving and forgiving person who only had positive things to say about all people.

She is survived by her daughter: Gayle Hampton of Burlington, Ontario, Canada, a son: Tom Lance and wife, Alice, of Whittier, NC. Grandchildren: Anne Yapp and husband, Eric and great grand sons: Geoffrey, Alistair and Colin of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Tom and wife, Andrea, and great grand daughter Naiya of Huntsville, Ontario, Canada, Margaret McCallum and husband, Kyle and great grand daughter Dancy of London, Ontario, Canada, Evie White and husband, John and great grand daughter Laney of Asheville, NC, Greg Sandlin and his fiancee Kathy Buzzell of Ruckersville, Va. and several nieces and a nephew.

A Celebration of Life conducted by Don Wauchope will be held 3:00 PM, Sunday, July 20, 2008 at Gillespie-Evergreen Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Transylvania County Hospital Hospice, P.O. Box 2440, Brevard, NC 28712, Brevard Music Center, Post Office Box 312, Brevard, NC, 28712.

To sign Mrs. Lance's memorial register online, please go to "Obituaries" at www.moore-fh.com .

Moore Funeral Home, Brevard, NC 1-828-884-2139 is serving the family.