Louise Hart Ross

Our precious family matriarch, Louise Hart Ross, (formerly of Charlotte) rose up on beautiful wings to the glorious Gates of Heaven Friday, November 30, 2018 surrounded by her loving family after 98 years, 8 months of living, loving and being loved. Louise was born in Kinston, NC on March 26, 1920 to the late John Elias Hart and Mollie Lenora McLawhorn in a family with six older brothers. People used to tell her daddy she must be quite spoiled being the only girl and the youngest child. His response was always “Oh, they all smell that way”. She grew up in Kinston, NC living in The Lenora Hotel, named for her Mama, which was owned and operated by her parents. She attended Grainger High School graduating in eleven years by skipping two “half years” after which she attended a business school, graduating with a degree. Her first job was with Woodmen of the World in Kinston and later transferred to the Charlotte office. It was in Charlotte at her boarding house on Dilworth Rd. East where she met her husband, Dr. Heywood Ross. After an 18 month courtship, he proposed. They were married on June 1, 1948 in the residence of Dr. George Heaton, Minister of Myers Park Baptist Church. Louise and Heywood raised their two children, Sharon Jean and Michael Heywood, on Tanglewood Lane in Charlotte. She worked with Heywood in his dental office doing bookkeeping and occasionally, when needed, assisting him at the dental chair. After high school graduation of her children, she started a secretarial career having always loved to type. She worked at Plaza Eye Clinic, then to American Red Cross on Park Road, and next to Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department for many years. Here she worked in the Youth Bureau, Records Department and Word Processing. Her next job was through a temp agency that placed her with First Union downtown. After retiring at age 70, she was enticed back to work by a Police Detective friend for a temporary position with The SBI-ATF Division, that would only last about a year. After the SBI position ended, she did some volunteer work at Shepherd’s Center at Myers Park Baptist Church and later, she also frequently volunteered at Avondale Presbyterian Church, near her home, doing secretarial duties in the church office. Intermingled all during the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, Louise burned up the roads and I-77 to Rock Hill in her “Gussie car” (VW bug) for one of her favorite hobbies -- BINGO!! She would play locally but loved the challenge of those BIG jackpots in Rock Hill. She even rode a bus to Cherokee a time or two hoping for luck to strike. Upon her return home after these weekend marathon game nights, Heywood would meet her at the door with a sack in which to pour her winnings. Although she did get lucky now and then, most nights she came home with much less than she left with. Having taken piano lessons as a young girl, Louise excelled with her skills. Even til the end, she could play most any requested song by ear. She derived such pleasure from calling family and friends to serenade them on their birthdays and anniversaries, also asking if she could play one of their favorites for them. Several years ago at Easter, she went to the Jesse Helms Center to play for the residents, also asking to play their favorite songs. In addition, she had an organ in her home since the 80’s and played that like a pro. In 2009, she moved from her Charlotte home on Idlewood Circle with her three dog babies to be near her daughter’s Union County home and have “assisted living” care from right across the road. She astounded everyone and renewed her Driver’s License when she was 95 years old and, although she did very little driving after that, she was extremely proud of her accomplishment. Never having been a fan of regular checkups, she did it her way having NO history of taking any prescription medicines. Until 2015, when she had an emergency hernia surgery at the age of 95, she had not been a hospital patient since the 1952 birth of her son, Mike. Upon return to her room from that surgery, with thumbs held high in the air lying on her bed, she exclaimed “I’M BACK!!” She lived on her own until 2016 when her heart diagnosis became known. Following the diagnosis, she lived with her daughter and son-in-law. In 2016, she took Lasix daily that being the only maintenance medication ever. She had Hospice Services from November 2016 to April 2018 and continued to remain stable. She liked to say she was fortunate enough to have graduated from Hospice. She…Was…Amazing. Louise aka Gussie, Gmama, Grandmama, GG, Louisa, D.O.L., and Miss Louise - - lived life to the fullest with an extra sharp mind taking advantage of every opportunity…to worship The Lord, learn, participate, love, give, forgive, nurture, joke, entertain, be flamboyant, eat dark chocolate, love her pets as family, spoil her grandchildren, double spoil her great grands, teach, eat desserts, be a peacemaker, lovingly poke fun, honor friends, provide unconditional love and support for her children, their families, friends and pretty much anyone who needed her, entertain with her music, support her church and charities, inspire, pull the wool over your eyes, dress with exquisite style, give advice, collect a lifetime of jewelry, indulge in any and all thrift stores, yard sales, pawn shops, flea markets and auctions, and tirelessly follow politics (til her last day) and last but not least - - always, always to be so very proud of her entire family and so very grateful to God for her multitude of blessings especially good health and longevity. “Until we are all together again—Good Night, Sweet Dreams, God Bless You and We Love You” Louise was the last survivor of her immediate Hart family having already lost all her brothers: Quincy, Lyman, Sidney, Milburn (Spec), Alley and Leo. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Heywood Ross in 1987. She is survived by her children: daughter, Sharon Ross Smith (Jerry) of Indian Trail, son, Michael Heywood Ross, (Sherri) of Lincolnton, six awesome grandchildren: Sam (Jennifer), Erin, Penny (Brantley), Michael, Jr. (Jill), Amy (Shane), Daniel: “GG” to 13 sweetest great grandchildren: Emily, Grace, Sam, Luke, Ella, Mairin, Ben, Peyton, Grayson, Jackson, Addy, Lucy and Michael, III, along with several wonderful nieces, special nephews, and loving cousins. Special heartfelt thanks from the Family to her previous care by loving Hospice Nurse, Becky and also her most recent Mobile Nurse, Lynn. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held Saturday, December 15, 2018, 1:00 pm in Bethlehem Presbyterian Church Sanctuary, 7601 Concord Hwy, Monroe, NC 28110, with visitation to follow the service. Memorials may be made to Bethlehem Presbyterian Church, 7601 Concord Hwy, Monroe, NC 28110. Online condolences may be made to www.gordonfuneralservice.com. Gordon Funeral Service and Crematory is caring for the Ross Family.