Bernice M. Lawrence

Bernice Marie Lawrence nee Brown was born in Baltimore, Maryland on June 21, 1942 to Clarence N. and Helen A. Brown. She fell asleep in death on December 31, 2024. Bernice was educated in the Baltimore City Public Schools, graduating from Frederick Douglass High School in 1959. In 1959, she married James Lawrence, whom she remained married to for 65 years. Bernice’s love for reading and education culminated in a job as a Librarian for the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore where she worked for over 40 years until retirement. After studying the Bible with her father early in her marriage, she got baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Her husband would do the same not long after. She and her husband spent over 30 years as full-time ministers together known as Pioneers. She was a regular figure with her husband at Rogers Ave. train station in Baltimore, engaging in their ministry. Bernice attended the Walbrook, Mondawmin and South Randallstown Congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses. As a Christian wife, Bernice supported her husband with his congregation responsibilities. She was his right arm. She served as his ear when his hearing failed and as his pen when his writing was unsteady. Faithful to her marriage, she let nothing get between her and her God, Jehovah or her husband, James. Always together. Bernice was known for her persistent smile and desire to help or assist anyone in need. She enjoyed dancing with her husband and their annual trips to the Poconos. Her friends knew she would bring the best homemade coleslaw to the table when the feast began. As a homemaker she was neat and clean, filling the words of Proverbs 31:10-27, the capable wife. Rev. 21:3,4 states: With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” She was preceded in death by her parents Clarence N. and Helen A. Brown, sister Delores Belton, two brothers Arnold Brown and Kenneth Brown and two brothers-in-law James Belton and Donald Brogden. Bernice is survived by her husband of 65 years, James Lawrence; her brother, James Brown; two sisters, Paulette Brogden and Barbara Brown; three brothers-in-law, Henry Lawrence, Emmitt Lawrence and Nathaniel Lawrence and four sisters-in-law, Orpha Brown, Pene Brown, Eunice Hudson and Ethel Powell. She is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews who she was very fond of, as well as great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, friends and her Christian Congregation.

Tributes

Bernice M. Lawrence

June 21, 1941 - December 31, 2024