Berdess Jarvis

Leicester On Sunday, February 1st, God reached out His hand and said, Berdess, your work on earth is done, come on home and be with me. Born in Swain County to Lawrence and Elsie Brooks, Berdess had lived in the Leicester community for 50 years. In heaven, she will be joining her loving husband, Ped Franklin Jarvis, who died in 1978; her parents, sisters, Gladys Harrington and Joyce Seay and brother, Gene Brooks. Berdess was very proud to serve her country during World War II in the United States Navy. She was stationed at the naval hospitals in Corvalis, Oregon and Bremerton, Washington. Berdess had a deep love for family and friends, and God graced her with a kind, gentle and loving spirit. She personified determination, faith and virtue. She was a devoted wife and mother whose steadfast love, wisdom and personal example were inspirational. Berdess was a devoted member of Newfound Baptist Church, which was an important part of her life. She loved her church family and Christ, on whom it was built. She helped and supported Newfound Church as a member since 1958, and attended weekly services as long as her health allowed it. She served as teacher of the Golden Circle Sunday School Class for years. Because of her love and dedication to her class, they recently renamed this Sunday School Class, Berdess Jarvis Class, in her honor. Her joy was born out of dedicating her time, talents and treasure for the glory of Gods kingdom. One of her ministries and delights was to visit the sick and elderly at both their homes and various nursing facilities. During her years of community service, she met many wonderful people. She touched hundreds of hearts with her friendly smile and generous nature. She was a genuine woman of goodwill to all she met. She cared for all people, bore no prejudices and led by personal example. Her kindliness and friendliness were her trademarks. She leaves a legacy of sincerity and love and will be sorely missed by many. Berdess was a generous and loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister and has left our lives but not our hearts. Those left to cherish her memories are daughters, Dr. Pat Jarvis of Springfield, VA; Becky Serafinelli & husband Franco of Jonesboro, GA and Lucy Gallaher & husband, Richard of Leicester; brothers, Hugh Brooks & wife, Jo of Bremerton, WA, John Brooks & wife, Kathy of Gold Hill, OR; sisters, Opal Aldridge of Shirley, AR, Fern Harden of Montgomery, AL, Kate Frederick of Stone Mountain, GA and sister in law, Freddie Brooks of Fairfield, VA; grandchildren and great grandchildren. A celebration of life memorial service will be held 2 P.M. Thursday, February 5, 2009 at Newfound Baptist Church with Rev. Charles Phillips and Rev. Mark Ball officiating. Burial will be immediately after the service in the church cemetery with Military graveside rites conducted by Asheville High School Jr. R.O.T.C. The family will receive friends 12 to 2 P.M. Thursday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in remembrance of Berdess may be made to Newfound Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 6, Leicester, NC or to Samaritans Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607 (www.samaritanspurse.org).