Bertha Lee Biggerstaff Carswell Bradshaw

Bertha Lee Biggerstaff Carswell Bradshaw of Morganton, North Carolina passed away peacefully on Thursday morning, December 29, 2022 at the age of eighty-five. She was born on September 25, 1937 to her late father Paul Cole and late mother Ruth Lee Houk Biggerstaff.

Bertha was a devoted loving mother to her children and family, never sparing the rod, twirling baton or kitchen utensils while disciplining her sons. She was a gifted cook and expressed her love with delicious homemade livermush, biscuits, gravy, and decadent desserts like banana pudding, derby pie, German chocolate, and red velvet cakes. Bertha was an expert gardener with a knack for growing succulent vegetables and beautiful flowers, especially roses. She enjoyed canning “chow chow” relish, sauerkraut, tomatoes, peppers, green beans, and the best sweet pickles imaginable. Bertha loved to host holiday family gatherings with family and friends, particularly with grandchildren. She was an enthusiastic shopper, skilled interior designer, and avid collector specializing in holiday-themed decorations, fine dishware, cloths, and assorted treasures. During the Christmas season, Bertha was renowned for decorating each room of the house uniquely, with it’s own tree and theme. In her adult years she was a competitive softball player who remained fashionable, even when sliding into home plate with authority. Among other vocations, Bertha was employed at Grace Hospital and, later, used her keen business skill to successfully own and operate Tropical Tanning Salon with her son, Ronnie. Among her lifelong philanthropic activities, Bertha led weekly trips, filling the green Dodge over capacity, frequenting movies, drive in’s, local parks like Steele Creek, and area attractions with her children, siblings, other family, and friends. She was also a member of First Advent Christian Church and the Morganton Optimist Club with her second husband George.

Bertha is survived by her three sons, Clyde Stevenson Carswell, Ronnie Lee Carswell, and Edward Anthony “Cooter” Carswell; two stepchildren, Charles Bradshaw and Darcel Robinson; three sisters, Barbara Wise, Brenda Kemp, and Becky Ligon; three brothers, Tom Biggerstaff, Larry “Puff” Biggerstaff, Randy Biggerstaff (Betty), and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family. Her five surviving grandchildren are Lorie Shannon Harvey, Brandon Stevenson Carswell (Kyla), Sharon Marie Arangio (Joseph), Amanda Carswell (Matthew), and Zachary Carswell. Her six surviving step-grandchildren are Siri A. Waning, James Bradshaw, Akira Oyama, Akihiro Oyama, Apiwisht (Pete) Rewthong, Josh “Steve” Robinson; 12 great-grandchildren, Sarah Harvey, Natalee Harvey, Ella Shay Carswell, Calloway Carswell, Amelia Carswell, Giavanna Arangio, Rachel Harvey, Olivia Carswell, George Arangio, Bryson Carswell, Carson Carswell, Connor Carswell; six step great-grandchildren, Andrew Oyama, Gavin Waning, Collin Waning, Aaron Robinson, Joshua Robinson, and Makena Robinson.

In addition to her parents, Bertha is preceded in death by her first husband, Clyde “Scrapper” Carswell; second husband, George L. Bradshaw; two daughters, Linda Darlene Carswell Edney, Cathy Carswell; her son, Danny Carswell; two stepsons, George Perry Bradshaw, Steve Bradshaw; brother, Lawrence Biggerstaff; and three sisters, Beatrice Williams, Bernice “Tina” Clontz, and Betty Causby.

On Monday, January 2, 2023 the family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at Sossoman Funeral Home. The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home, officiated by Rev. Jim Tabor. Burial will follow at Snowhill United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, kindly send donations in memory of “Bertha Lee Biggerstaff Carswell Bradshaw” to Snowhill United Methodist Church Cemetery Care Fund, 5429 Snowhill Church Rd., Morganton NC 28655

Or

Good Samaritan Clinic Morganton NC: 500 East Parker Road Morganton, NC 28655.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.