October 18, 2023, 91, Goldsboro —
The LORD is my light and my salvation– whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life– of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1
Ms. Bertha L. Gavin – Born and reared in Goldsboro, NC, Bertha Lee Gavin was born on June 22, 1932, and went to be with the Lord on October 18, 2023. As a testament to Psalms 91:16, Bertha Gavin was blessed with 91 years of life. The family will hold a private graveside service, officiated by Pastor Timothy L. Dortch.
Bertha was the fifth of eight children, born to the late William and Sarah Strickland Gavin, and was the youngest daughter. She was the granddaughter of the late Charles and Bertha Turner Gavin Fennell and the great-granddaughter of the late Haywood and Lucinda Turner.
Bertha was a proud graduate of Dillard High School, Class of 1950, where she served as class secretary. Having an appreciation for higher education instilled into her by her parents, combined with her passion for helping others, Bertha was led to pursue a career in nursing. She attended and received her R.N. nursing degree from the former Lincoln Hospital School of Nursing located in Durham, North Carolina. She completed the nursing program in 1953 and following graduation, Bertha and another classmate were the first African American nurses hired at Greensboro’s Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital. This was one of several color-line barriers Bertha broke in her nursing profession.
Bertha’s rewarding and extensive professional career in nursing spanned more than three decades. She worked in both small and large hospitals, in Greensboro, Raleigh, and Durham. For thirty-seven of those years, Bertha worked at Durham County General Hospital where she made history as the first person of color to become head nurse. As head nurse, she had 24-hour responsibility and accountability for running a floor. Over the years, Bertha’s career took off and she was recognized in 1989 by the American Journal of Nursing as one of the Great Head Nurses in the nation, setting the tone in professionalism and patients’ care. In recognition of her outstanding professional accomplishments and her work in the community, she was also recognized by the YWCA of Durham with the “Women of Achievement” award in 1989.
One of her lasting legacies was her admiration for tradition, especially the nursing uniform. Starting in the 1800’s, nursing uniforms included nurses’ caps. By the late 1960s, the nurses’ caps began to slowly decline and all but disappeared by the late 1970s with the adoption of nursing scrubs. During her entire career, Bertha Gavin stayed fast to the nursing cap and wore one every day to work… up until her day of retirement, September 30, 1992. Patients and staff members lovingly referred to her as the nurse with the nurse’s cap.
When she was asked what she attributed her longevity to, she would say “having something to smile about every day”. That smile on her face radiated from inside and reflected her grateful spirit. Her personal style and grateful heart had much to do with her accomplishments. She was warm, engaging, and easy to get along with. She was a woman of strong values, faith, dedication, and commitment to family. Her unwavering love of family was at the core of her being.
She stayed up to date on most topics and was always ready with an opinion to share on local, state, and national events/activities. She was also a big sports enthusiast, with basketball being her favorite. With her benevolent nature, Bertha Gavin supported numerous charities and had several professional affiliations.
In addition to her beloved parents, Bertha was predeceased by her sisters, Pauline Gavin Reid, Geraldine Gavin Dortch, and Mable Gavin Isler, and brothers, John Edward Gavin, and Charles William Gavin.
Precious, loving memories will remain with many, including her surviving sister, Willette Gavin Page of Somerset, NJ, and brother, Dr. Ray Howard Gavin of Freeport, NY. She is also survived by nieces, Marie Ellen Gavin of Goldsboro, NC, Renita Dortch Bates of Cincinnati, OH, and Diane Tuten Stokes of Wilmington, NC, and by nephew, William Cedric Page of San Francisco, CA, and a host of great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, other relatives, extended family, and friends.
Services of caring, compassionate, and distinguished class entrusted to J.B. Rhodes Funeral Home & Cremations of Goldsboro.
