Doris H. Bernhardt

Doris Huffines Bernhardt, age 91, of Greensboro peacefully passed away on May 10, 2022, surrounded by her husband and their three sons. During her years of declining health, Doris was lovingly cared for by the compassionate staff of the Well Spring Retirement Community.

A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 617 N. Elm St. Greensboro, NC 27401 on Tuesday, May 17 at 2:00pm (livestreaming link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiZ0RKVzhiM). Visitation will follow at the church. An inurnment service will be held at 1:30pm for the family at the church columbarium.

Doris is survived by Richmond G. “Rip” Bernhardt, Jr., her loving husband of 69 years, and also by her three sons and their wives, Richmond G. “Rick” Bernhardt III (Melissa) of Atlanta; David L. Bernhardt (Tina) of Wake Forest; and Stephen F. Bernhardt (Ann) of Charlotte. Doris also leaves behind six grandchildren, Richmond (Erin), Andrew (Sara), Chase (Bailey), English, Oliver “Bo”, and Annie, as well as two great grandsons, Boyd and Gray. She is additionally survived by her sister, Betty Lou Miller of Lenoir, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Doris was born in Lenoir in 1930, to A. D. Huffines and Celeste Legette Huffines, public school teachers. She grew up in Granite Falls until she was fourteen, when her family moved to Lenoir.

At Lenoir High School, Doris played flute in the high school band. She attended Woman’s College (UNC-G) and graduated with a degree in Music Education. Following graduation, she married and accompanied her husband to England, where he was stationed at Burtonwood Air Force Base. She taught in the base dependents school. Rather than living on the base, they lived with local residents with whom they established friendships which last to this day.

From early childhood, Doris played the piano and happily shared her talent with others. Without ever seeking recognition, she accompanied vocal and instrumental performers. Her musical talent will be remembered by members of the Young Men’s Bible Class at First Presbyterian Church, where for many years she inspired their singing of the old hymns in the Cokesbury Hymnal. A highlight in her career was serving as pianist and music director for ten of Aycock Junior High School Drama Department’s Broadway musicals. In a recognition ceremony, this was said of her, “To our knowledge, never has one parent given so much time and talent to a school. For that reason, she has become known at Aycock as our own ‘Fair Lady’ “. One student later wrote, “You were and remain such a positive influence in my life.”

Doris was a former member of the UNC-G Excellence Foundation Board of Directors. She volunteered for Mobile Meals and at Women’s Hospital, where she issued infant car seats and instructed parents how to use them. She was President of the Greensboro English-Speaking Union, having first been a member in England. Friends will remember the E-SU Robbie Burns Gala. Doris enjoyed playing bridge with her friends and sharing her favorite recipes with them (including her persimmon pudding, fried pies, and brownie tortoni).

Doris will be remembered by her warm smile, her pretty blue eyes and her friendly disposition.

In lieu of flowers, and in support of Doris’s love of music, contributions may be made to the UNC-G Excellence Foundation, PO Box 26170, Doris H. Bernhardt Graduate Award in Music Fund, Greensboro, NC, 27402-6170; or the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro for the NC Music Academy, 301 N. Elm St., Suite 100, Greensboro, NC, 27401.

Memories may be expressed through www.haneslineberryfhnelm.com.