Bertie Clarke Womble, a longtime employee and sales manager with Apex Tool Group, died on April 1 at her home in Holly Springs, NC. She was 66.

Bertie started as a secretary in the ad specialties department of Cooper Tools (which is now part of Apex Tool Group) in 1970. She retired last July after 45 years with the company. She was a founding member of the Carolinas Association of Advertising and Marketing Professionals (CAAMP) and previously served as the association’s president. She also won the Person of the Year award from the Young Executives Promotional Products Association.

Bertie is survived by her husband of 35 years, Tommy Womble; brother, Dale Clark (Barbara); sisters, Jennifer Moore (Greg) and Marie Stewart (Don); father-in-law, Wallace Wayne Womble, Sr.; sisters-in-law, Patty McIver (Keith) and Phyllis Womble; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service for Bertie was held on April 4 followed by a burial at New Hill Baptist Church Cemetery. Memorials may be sent in Bertie’s honor to Waverly Hematology and Oncology Survivors Clinic at 300 Ashville Avenue, Suite 310, Cary, NC 27518.