Bernice Harrison Cloninger

Bernice Harrison Cloninger, of Mt. Pleasant, was called to her heavenly home the evening of Wednesday, June 14, 2022.  

Funeral service will be held 2:30pm Friday June 17, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Mt. Pleasant. A private family graveside will be held following the service. The Cloninger family will receive friends from 12-2pm prior to the service at Gordon Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant.

Born January 6, 1930 in Lincolnton, N.C. to the late D. C. and Mary Sigmon Harrison, she was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, B. J. Cloninger, sister, Louise H. Dover and brother, Joe L. Harrison.  She grew up in Kings Mountain and was a 1948 honor graduate of Kings Mountain High School.  A lifetime learner, she honed her skills as a successful business person.  For over 60 years she operated the Mt. Pleasant Insurance Agency.

A woman of substance, she surrounded herself with good, capable people and was the leader in many causes for the schools and civic community.  The town honored her in 1974 as the Citizen of the Year.  

As a new bride, she joined Lutheran Church of The Holy Trinity and was an active member until death. She was honored with the Honorary Lifetime Lutheran Woman award and the Theological Seminary Auxiliary award.  She stated that the church members encouraged and supported her in her journey of faith.  

Her family was the center of her life and she treasured them and always thanked God for the precious gift they were.  She enjoyed so many of life’s treasures and her beautiful flowers and yard were shared by many.    She is survived by her two sons, Bobby Cloninger (Lynda), and Brent Cloninger (Lisa), her three grandchildren, Emily Slagle (Jacob), Anna Cloninger and Robert Cloninger and her two great-grandchildren, Caroline and Harrison Slagle.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in memory of Bernice to one of her favorite organizations; WELCA (Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America), Lutheran Church of The Holy Trinity, P.O. Box 595, Mount Pleasant NC 28124.