May Bergman

With family at her side May “Basie” Crumpler Carter Bergman died peacefully at her beloved family home, 104 Lady Astor Street, Danville on July 7, 2018 in Danville at the age of 93. Basie is survived by her children, May Talbott Carter (Lynchburg), Katharine Carter Templeton and husband Bruce (Marathon, Florida), Lawrence Crumpler Carter of the home in Danville, and George Allen Carter, Jr. (Weaverville NC) , her sister Lindsay Crumpler Nolting (Charlottesville). Also surviving are her grandchildren, Julie Templeton (Norfolk), Drew Templeton (Yorktown), James McFeely (Lynchburg), Lindsay McFeely (Richmond) William McFeely (Asheville), Caleb Carter (Weaverville) and Basie May Carter (Weaverville).  She was preceded in death by her husbands, George A Carter, and Lutz C. Bergman, her parents, Lawrence O. Crumpler M.D., and May Talbott Crumpler, her brother in law Frederick Nolting, and her son-in-law, William J. McFeely, III. She was born on December 21, 1924 (the Winter Solstice when the world starts becoming brighter!) in Danville.  She attended Stratford Hall, Stratford Junior College and graduated from University of North Carolina with a degree in English. She married George Allen Carter, “the kindest person I ever knew” in 1947.  “George-and-Basie” had a wide circle of Danville friends and enjoyed entertaining. Their children remember a wonderful childhood in Danville on Linden Drive, and later at a rustic family cabin at Hyco Lake full of vegetable gardening, swimming and boating, with Basie making her famous “wild plum” jam and watermelon rind pickles. After George’s death in 1993, she married Lutz Bergman, whom she had met as a young woman and reconnected with later in life. With Lutz, she moved to Virginia Beach, and traveled the world.  After his death she returned to Danville.  In her final stay in Danville, she received very special care from her son Lawrence. Basie was an accomplished artist who was mentored and taught by her family friend Harriet Fitzgerald becoming a member of the Abington Square Painters in New York City.  Her children remember the many hours she spent absorbed in painting as they grew up.  She later returned to Stratford College to further her art education and earn a teaching degree.  She was very engaged as an art student there and taught by Paul Bond and Robert Eckels.  She then taught art at Langston High School, Westmoreland Junior High School, and R.E. Lee Junior High before retiring in 1970. She was an active member of the Shakespeare Club for many years as well as the Gabriella Garden Club. A graveside service is scheduled for 4:00 on Sunday, July 15 at Green Hill Cemetery with a gathering for friends and family to follow at 104 Lady Astor Street.  All are welcome to attend and celebrate Basie’s life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Mount Vernon Church, or Danville Musuem of Fine Arts and History. Condolences can be sent to www.townesfuneralhome.com  The family would like to thank her friends and neighbors on Lady Astor and Carol Sydnor for her loving attention over many years.