Bernice Josephine Brown Parker

Bernice Josephine Brown Parker, 81, daughter of the late Benny Frank and Lonnie Brown was born on June 24, 1929 in Margarettsville, N.C. Bernice passed away peacefully on March 20, 2011 at St. Mary’s Hospital, Richmond, Virginia. All of her six siblings preceded her in death. Bernice was educated in the Northampton County School System, graduated from Coates High School class of 1947, she then attended St. Augustine College in Raleigh-Durham, NC. Bernice was united in holy matrimony to Joe N. Parker Sr. on October 26, 1950. To this union, three children were born, a son Joe Jr. (deceased), and two daughters, Pamela and Valerie. During her years of employment Bernice worked in several capacities, a cook, seamstress and shoemaker and was gainfully employed by AT&T Bell Laboratories as a dispatcher. Retired after 21 years of service in June 1986. Bernice joined Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Seaboard, N.C. at an early age. Once transitioning to New Jersey, she joined the Macedonia Baptist Church serving as a Youth Choir Director, Choir and Usher Board Member and Sunday school member. She moved to Virginia in 1992 and was united with the Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Glen Allen. In past years, she has served as President of the Senior Choir and the Senior Adult Ministry (The Golden Angels). She worked diligently as an Usher, member of the Adult Choir and the Prayer and Praise Team. Her favorite pastimes included sewing, interior decorating, gardening and time with family, especially her grand and great-grandchildren. She leaves to cherish her memory, a loving and devoted husband of 60 years, Joe Norman; two daughters, Pamela (Johnnie) Frazier from Richmond, VA and Valerie (Gregg Sr.) Whitlock from Montclair, NJ; seven grandsons, Joe Parker III, Marcus (Brandie) Frazier, Maurice (Aisha) Frazier, Marlon and Marshall Frazier, Gregg Jr. and Quincy Whitlock; granddaughter, Jasmine Bernice Whitlock; four great-granddaughters, Dionna, Destiny, Anya and Malia; two great- grandsons, Jahkael and Brandon; four sisters-in-law Lelia (Lee)Baxter, Rose Galloway, Ada Cutler and Toinetta (James) Phillips; four brothers-in-law, Otis (Katie Sue) Parker, Aubrey Parker, Oliver (Alice) Parker and Clarence (Shirley) Parker; devoted friend, Ronette Dyson, and a very special friend, Mary Kelly, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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Bernice Josephine Brown Parker

June 24, 1929 - March 20, 2011