Katherine Louise Gard Fisher, age 95, of Lumberton, NC, passed away Friday, May 31, 2024, at UNC Health Southeastern in Lumberton, NC. She was born in Hart County, GA on February 21, 1929 to the late Guy Taylor Gard and Edna Aderhold Gard.

Katherine was a phenomenal Mother.  She was supportive, loving and caring. She also was an advocate for each of her children in many ways, especially with the Traumatic Brain Injury Association and the research that is ongoing. She was loved and admired by her family, especially her sisters, for her strength of character and her wonderful sense of humor. Katherine was a warm and loving person we will all miss her as a void has opened in our world.

Over all these years, Katherine has amazed friends and family with her wealth of knowledge and excellent memory. She could be asked about history, geography, birds, bugs and other animals and would provide accurate information about the subject. Her Minister at Chestnut Methodist Church said she was one of the smartest individuals he had ever known, and he enjoyed the many discussions they had. Katherine, however, was always humble and loving and supportive to her family and her friends. Her life was made hard by several tragedies and yet, she was always upbeat and smiling. Some phrases from friends: "we will miss …your knowledge about so many happenings in our world – we could ask you, you would chime in and give us the answer, your positive attitude, your joy in being present with us…"   "She was the best person ever, a wonderful teacher, good mom, wife, sibling and so much fun to play cards with…"

She was an elementary teacher for over 35 years until retirement. Her fellow teachers recognized her several times as Teacher of The Year. Katherine was active on numerous school and county committees but kept her focus on her students and their educational development.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Mantell Fisher; her daughter, Karen Fisher Dunlap; and her sister, Jean Evelyn Gard Fletcher.

She is survived by her sons, Robert Mantell Fisher of Laurinburg, NC and Donald Mantell Fisher of Dillon, SC; two grandchildren, Kate Dunlap and Zoe Dunlap; her sisters: Eleanor Clemons (Lamar) and Jane Montford (Bill), both of Tallahassee, FL, and Nancy Wingenbach of Fripp Island, SC; and very special caregivers, Connie Cummings,  Jeanne Lowery, and Laura Smith.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to The Brain Injury Association of NC, (www.bianc.net) 3733 National Drive, Suite 115, Raleigh, NC 27612 in Katherine's memory.