January 28, 2011

Bernice Ellis Fisher, 88, died Jan. 28, 2011. A native of Southampton County, she was a daughter of the late Sarah B. and Willie B. Ellis and the widow of John Lawrence Fisher. After marrying, she spent 40 years moving wherever Norfolk-Southern Railroad sent her husband in the eastern and southern USA. She accepted these and all of life’s challenges without complaint. She loved being with family, friends and preparing wonderful meals for their enjoyment. They retired to Courtland in 1978. She was an active member of Courtland Baptist Church and was an avid bridge player. For the past 5 and ½ years she has been a resident of Nansemond Pointe and Lake Prince Nursing Home.

Survivors include five sons; John L. Fisher Jr. (Virginia Dare), of Suffolk, Dr. C. Ellis Fisher (Meg), of Gastonia, N.C., George Wayne Fisher (Irene), of Newbern, N.C., William Lee Fisher (Barbara), of Dothan, Ala., Robert Fox Fisher (Wanda), of Belews Creek, N.C.; one sister, Margaret Grissom, of Courtland; six grandchildren, Dr. Maxwell Fisher (Meredith), Megan Flanagan (Brian), Jason Fisher, Sarah Elizabeth Arthur (Jason), Jay Fisher (Robin) and Jonathan Fisher (Macy); and seven great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be conducted Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011 at noon in Courtland Baptist Church by the Rev. Thomas R. Speight with a private family burial in Riverside Cemetery in Courtland. Memorial donations may be made to Courtland Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 148, Courtland, VA 23837 or Holy Angels, P.O. Box 710, Belmont, NC 28012. R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home & Crematory, 509 W. Washington St., Suffolk, is serving the family. Condolences may be registered at www.rwbakerfh.com.