Funeral services for Judge Debra Halpern Bernes of the Georgia Court of Appeals are scheduled for 10 a.m. on Thursday at Ahavath Achim synagogue on Peachtree Battle Avenue. Speakers are expected to include Justice Robert Benham of the state Supreme Court, who had known Bernes since she was an assistant district attorney in Cobb County prosecuting his clients.

Bernes passed away Tuesday afternoon after a battle with cancer. She was 54. She is survived by her parents, Alvin and Sherry Halpern; brothers Jay and Marty Halpern; a sister, Gail Holzer; husband Gary Lee Bernes; and two adult children, daughter Lane and son Matthew.

The Cobb County Bar Association has established The Judge Debra Halpern Bernes Scholarship to assist Georgia residents who desire to attend one of the public law schools in Georgia—the University of Georgia or Georgia State University. Bernes’ husband said his wife wished the scholarship be given to a student who had given back to the community through service. Donations may be mailed in care of the Cobb County Bar Association, 30 Waddell Street, Suite 601, Marietta, Ga. 30090. For further information, contact Executive Director Linda C. Hill at (770) 424-7149.

Bernes’ husband suggested memorial donations could also be made to the Jewish Educational Loan Fund, 4549 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, Ga. 30338 (770) 396-3080.

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Contributor: Alyson M. Palmer in Obituary | subscribe to rss |   share