Louise Bernard Bird of Bland, Virginia, at the age of 96, passed away on September 10, 2017.

Louise was born in Mechanicsburg, Virginia on March 5, 1921, the youngest of four children, to John Samuel Bernard and Eula Lee Gordon Bernard.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her two older sisters, Ruth Atwell and Lois Stockner, and a brother, Paul Bernard. Also preceding her in death are two nephews – B.C. Atwell and Johnny Atwell and one niece – Janet Stockner Anglin.

On December 29, 1937, Louise was married to Harry Saunders Bird of Bland, Virginia. There they chose to make a permanent home, thus eventually sharing a profession that they both loved -teaching.  In later years for health reasons, Harry was forced into early retirement, preceding Louise in death in 1976.  In the early 1940's Louise began teaching in the Bland County school system (Hollybrook, Mechanicsburg and Bland) and one year in Wytheville. She was a greatly loved teacher for the next 40 years.  She was always active in the Bland United Methodist church known for her piano playing and especially loved by the "tee-totaling" Methodists and Baptists for her fine rum cakes.

Louise is survived by her daughter, Eleanor Bird Herweyer, her son-in-law, Elliott Herweyer, of Goochland, Virginia, and one granddaughter, Saundra Inez Muncy, of San Rafael, California.  Also surviving her are two nephews – Ned Stockner and Sammy Bernard and wife, Jeanette, one niece, Judith Bernard Dean, and husband, Michael, and Eleanor Atwell, widow of Johnny Atwell.

A memorial service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, September 30, 2017 at the Bland Funeral Chapel with the Reverend Joe Taylor and Dr. Doug Hyndrich officiating.

The family will receive friends Saturday from 2:00 p.m. until service time at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, please send your gifts to either the Bland United Methodist Church or the Bland Fire and Rescue Squad, both in Bland, VA 24315.

Highland Bland Funeral Chapel, Bland, VA is serving the Bird family.