Louise Clark Fothergill

Louise C. (Lou) Fothergill passed away on March 5, 2021 due to complications from abdominal surgery. She was predeceased by her parents, A. Leland and Ida S. Clark of Poolesville, MD. She is survived by her husband of over 60 years, Robert N. Fothergill, Sr., daughter Judith Lynn Fothergill Trent (Scott), son Robert N. Fothergill, Jr. (Mary Lynn), granddaughters Jillian Cash (Matt), Erin Ray (Jared), Jordan Trent, Julie Trent, grandsons Spencer Trent and Bryce Fothergill, and great-granddaughter, Parker Ray. She is also survived by her sister, Janice Krueger of Durham, NC, sister-in-law, Maria Fothergill of Aberdeen, MD, brother in-law, James Fothergill (Barbara) of DeLand FL, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Born on May 2,1936 in Tekamah, Nebraska, Lou was a graduate of Poolesville High School in 1954. She attended Western Maryland College where she graduated with honors in 1958. While in college she met her future husband, Bob, whom she married in May 1960. Upon graduation, she became employed as a Home Economics teacher in the Carrol County Maryland School Division. Two years later and after her marriage, she moved to Fort Lee, VA to be with her new husband and was employed as an elementary school teacher in the Hopewell School Division. She took a leave of absence from teaching when she and Bob were re-assigned to Germany for three years. Upon their return, she resumed her teaching career on a part-time basis with the Petersburg School Division. In 1971, she returned to teaching on a full-time basis in Petersburg. During her career, Lou, together with her daughter Judy, received a Master’s of Education in Administration and Supervision from Virginia Commonwealth University. In 1995, she retired from the Petersburg School Division as Principal of Walnut Hill Elementary School after 30 years in public education. Lou was active in various professional and community organizations. She proudly served as a longtime member of the Swift Creek Woman’s Club. She also served three five-year terms as a member of the Swift Creek Mill Theatre Board of Directors. Lou was a long-term member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Petersburg, VA where she served for many years as a lay reader. The family would like to thank Colonial Heights Fire & EMS, the nurses and therapists at Cardiac Connections, the caregivers at Senior Helpers, as well as the doctors and staff of Southside Regional Medical Center and James River Hospice for their kindness and compassion while caring for Lou. Funeral arrangements are being handled by J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home & Cremation Service. A service will be held on Monday March 15, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Petersburg, VA. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Masks will be required, and social distancing protocols will be observed. Internment will be private at the Virginia Veterans Cemetery at Amelia. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Swift Creek Woman’s Club, or Swift Creek Mill Theatre. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com