Bernita Spore of Pasadena, Maryland, passed away peacefully at home on Monday December 1st, 2025.

A Monday child “fair of face,” she was born Bernita Celeste Bridges on August 13, 1934 in Cumberland, Maryland. Her parents were Robert F Bridges and Marie D Donahue Bridges and she was the 11th child of 13 children. She grew up in her beloved Beans Cove, Pennsylvania and Cumberland, Maryland area on a farm. Bernita’s favorites on the farm were the cows. She said they were always so sweet and affectionate.

In 1952, Bernita graduated high school from Ursuline Academy.

After graduation, She enlisted in the US Navy and served 3 years [1952-1955] as a Navy cook, at a time when some questioned if women could be cooks. Her response was always, “didn’t your mother cook for you?” Her duties rotated between the mess hall and the hospital kitchen, stationed at Quonset Point, RI.

She married fellow enlisted marine George Havens, Dec 1954, and they had one child together. Donald George Havens, April 14, 1957 - August 1, 1995.

After her military service, she eventually moved to Washington DC, went to Secretarial school and worked at various office jobs supporting herself and Donny at a time when single motherhood was fairly rare. On Oct 23, 1969 Bernita Bridges married Benjamin Wilson Meadows, eventually settling in Dunkirk Maryland until his death in 1983,.

“Nita” worked for manpower and was sent to many offices, getting them into shape and usually earning a permanent job offer, but she liked the variety.

A few of her more notable jobs were Shell Oil, SMECO, and the State’s Attorney’s office of Upper Marlboro. She had many funny and amazing stories from her time in each of those offices.

On November 30, 1984 she married David E. Spore, eventually moving to St. Mary’s county until 2019 when they moved in with family in Pasadena, MD.

Bernita was an avid sewer and homemaker. She and David were also active in their community as part of the square dancers, “Arks and Doves,” the Chesapeake Kennel Club, and volunteers with Hospice of St. Mary’s. In her golden years she was quite active at the Severna Park Racquetball and Fitness Club and walked her neighborhood every day.

She is survived by her younger sister, Vivian Cobert of Vienna, Virginia and many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren.

Family and friends may visit on Friday December 12, 2025 from 10:00am-11:00am with a service to follow at 11:00am at Severna Park Evangelical Presbyterian Church 110 Ritchie Hwy Pasadena, MD 21122. Interment with honors will take place on Wednesday January 14, 2026 at 10:30am at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, MD.

In Lieu of flowers donations in her name may be made to:

Good Shepherd Cat Sanctuary
32600 Landing Ln Delmar, MD 21875-2142 United States ph: 410-860-2280.