Carla Harshbarger Bright

Carla Harshbarger Bright was born as a surprise to Carl and Emma Harshbarger on June 18, 1944... just 3 minutes after her twin sister, Clio Harshbarger Friedewald, came into the world. While Clio came quietly, Carla came loudly with something to say; not having a name picked out for the surprise twin, she was quickly named after her outspoken father: Carl-a. And Carla continued to live her life truly out loud from that day forward. She loved feather boas, karaoke, margaritas, pink flamingos, dancing, red lipstick, anything with sequins, Diet Coke on ice, coupons, mayonnaise, animal print, fried shrimp... she really just loved life and knew how to live it "right." With her infectious cackling laugh as her calling card, she could always be counted on to bring a joke to liven any occasion. Not just quick-witted, Carla was very intellectually gifted: even into her twilight years, Carla would often read at least one book and multiple newspapers daily. Carla graduated from Marietta High School and then attended Auburn on an academic scholarship, where she was on the swim team and pledged the Tri-Delta sorority. She then worked as a legal secretary, but decided that she would like to actually be the lawyer. So, Carla attended John Marshall Law School at night while she continued to work full-time during the day. Once a lawyer, Carla ultimately found family law, specifically divorce law, as her niche. She joked that she was particularly qualified for divorce law since she had herself been married and divorced "hundreds of times," (in reality, it was just 3-times, but who's counting)?! Her full name shows her experience in this arena: Carla Jane Harshbarger Bishop Fender Bright. In her free time, Carla could be found working in her yard: an avid and talented gardener with a yard that can still put any English garden to shame. Loving family and heritage, Carla lived in the same house on Whitlock Drive in Marietta where she was raised; many of the perineal plants and flowers in her garden were planted by her mother, while the giant Magnola in the front yard was planted by her father. Without "two-legged" children of her own, Carla helped raise her niece Carrie and grandniece Emma, and was passionate about her children of the "four-legged" variety: particularly her German Shepherds and black cats, although animals of any breed of species were welcome with Carla. In typical Carla style, she passed away in her sleep during the early hours of the of Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday, March 4, 2025, while listening to the music of her childhood with her family.

Carla is survived by her twin sister, Clio Harshbarger Friedewald and husband James "Jim" Friedewald; her older brother, Joseph "Big Joe" Harshbarger her niece Carrie Friedewald and husband Michael "Michigan" Hill; her grandniece Emma Louise Bethel; and her innumerable friends.

Carla did not want a funeral, so she will be laid to rest with a small family graveside service on March 8, 2025. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Cobb County Humane Society in Carla's name is suggested. Rest in Peace, Aunt Carla... we all love you!