Bernice Carter Dempsey, 78, of Blue Ridge, died Tuesday, December 25, 2007.

She was born September 6, 1929 in Rockbridge County, a daughter of the late William Lacy Carter and Janie Hatcher Carter.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Arthur N."Jack" Dempsey; three sisters: Mildred, Mary, Dimples; and two brothers: Albert and James.

She is survived by two sons: Arthur N. Dempsey, Jr. and Raymond A. "Tony" Dempsey, Roanoke; two daughters: Brenda D. Green and fiance, Carl Dalton, Roanoke; and Kim Rorke and husband, David, Buchanan; four grandchildren and two great grandchildren; a sister, Margaret Holland; brothers: Francis "Zeek", Charlotte, NC: Henry, Glasgow; Herman and Kenneth, Buena Vista.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, December 28, 2007 at the Ben Salem Presbyterian Church with Rev. Larry Miles officiating. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Blue Ridge Rescue Squad.

Arrangements are being handled by the Bolling, Grose & Lotts Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Buena Vista, Virginia.