Emily Bearden

Emily Pettit Bearden, 93, died peacefully Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at Presbyterian Hospital Hospice Care Unit. Born December 26, 1921 in Spartanburg County to the late T. Bryant Pettit and Goulia Crocker Pettit, she grew up on a farm in the White Plains community and graduated from Cowpens High School, Limestone College, and Winthrop University. Emily married Watson C. Bearden at White Plains Baptist Church in 1946. Her teaching career began in South Carolina and continued after she and Watson relocated to Charlotte in 1956. She joked that her old Buick knew its way to Enderly Park Elementary School, where she taught until she retired in 1979. A former chapter president of Alpha Delta Kappa, she valued teaching and learning. Emily and Watson joined Avondale Presbyterian in 1957, where she was a steadfast member, serving on the Board of Elders, Board of Deacons, Pastor Nominating Committee, and the Building Committee for the Family Life Center. Emily often taught the Aiken Sunday School class and supported youth functions and community outreach throughout the years. She was an Honorary Life Member of the Women of the Church. Her faith in Jesus Christ has been an inspiration to all who knew her. Emily's many interests included reading, cooking, quilting, traveling, gardening and crafting. She enjoyed playing bridge, Rummikub, and Scrabble with friends and family. She loved her water exercise classes at Marion Diehl followed by Chick-fil-A breakfasts with friends from her class. She spent hours baking cookies with her namesake Emily in preparation for the annual family beach week that included Bingo, long walks, boating on the waterway, and daily tea time. Emily was preceded in death by husband, Watson Caldwell Bearden; two brothers, T. Bryant Pettit and Ralph O. Pettit; and a daughter, Martha Pettit Bearden. Survivors include two daughters, Mary Watson Bearden Martin of Charlotte and Lynne Elisabeth Bearden Phifer of Pinehurst, NC; and two sisters, Mildred P. Ragan of Spartanburg, SC and Ruth P. Rogers of Loris, SC. She is also survived by two sons-in-law, Chester A. Martin and H. Craig Phifer III; and four grandchildren, Nathan Bearden Phifer, Scott Nelson Phifer, Karey Bearden Martin Marren and husband Bradley Marren, and Emily Rochelle Martin; along with a close-knit extended family of nieces and nephews. A memorial service to celebrate the life of Emily Bearden will be at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 3, 2015 at Avondale Presbyterian Church with the Reverend Doctor John B. Earl officiating. The family will receive friends after the service in the Church Fellowship Hall. A graveside service will be at Nazareth Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Route 1, Moore, SC at 4:00 PM on Saturday, May 2, 2015. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to Avondale Presbyterian Church, 2821 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28209. The family wishes to express appreciation to the staff of Presbyterian Hospital, The Pavilion at Brightmore, Novant Hospice of Charlotte, her caregivers Daisy Alexander, Teresa Faucette, and Brigid Blesius, and to her many close friends and pastor who have remembered her with cards, visits, and encouragement over the past year. An online guest register is also available at www.throbertson.com Floyd's North Church Street Chapel and Robertson Funeral and Cremation Service is serving the family. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Emily Pettit Bearden please visit our Sympathy Store.