Bernadine Cecil "Sissy" "Deany Strange

Bernadine Cecil Strange, also known as "Sissy" and "Deany" died on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at Flaget Memorial Hospital.  She was born on December 17, 1941, ten days after Pearl Harbor at Camp Selby, Mississippi, where her father was stationed.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Robert Strange; parents, Sam Kennett Cecil and Bernadine Greenwell Cecil; and brothers, Ken Cecil and Sammy Cecil.

She is survived by her daughters, Marci (Franke) Haydon and Ellen Strange; granddaughters, Madeline Rodriguez and Emily (Jack) Budig; sister, Beverly Roberts; brothers, LaVielle Cecil and Tony Cecil; and a host of family members and friends.

Bernadine graduated from Bethlehem Academy in 1959 and still enjoyed getting together with classmates. She belonged to the "Write Your Own Life Story" and Knitting/Crocheting groups that met at the Nelson County Public Library.  She was a previous member of Homemakers and Red Hat Society, and many people knew her as "The Red Hat Lady".

She worked for doctors Charles and Harry Spalding before her first child was born, and later in life worked for Hite Ready Mix and Heaven Hill Distillery.

After retiring, she took up art, making her own greeting cards from her paintings.  She began writing to pen pals in 1974 and wrote countless letters to family, friends, and shut-ins.  She loved watching the birds in her feeders, especially the Carolina bluebirds and hummingbirds.

Her funeral service will be held at 7:00 P.M. Monday, August 7, 2023 at Barlow Funeral Home.  Rev. Ben Brown will officiate.  Visitation will be from 3 till 8 P.M. Monday, August 7, 2023 at Barlow Funeral Home.

Bernadine was adamant about having no flowers at her service.  If you would like to honor her memory, please donate to the Crusade for Children or Nelson County Industries.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bernadine Cecil "Sissy" "Deany Strange, please visit our floral store.