Bernice E Stokes

Bernice Duncan Stokes peacefully and joyfully entered glory and rest with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, surrounded by family on April 12, 2025, at her family home in Baltimore, Maryland. She was the second-oldest daughter of James and Viola Duncan. Bernice joins her parents, siblings (Sally Duncan Estep, James Andrew Duncan, Roosevelt Duncan, and Thomas Pettiford Jr.), and other loved one Glory! As an infant, her parents migrated from Camden, South Carolina. She grew up surrounded by family ministers; her paternal grandfather Rev. James Duncan James and father Rev. James Duncan were Baptist Ministers. Hence, Bernice was raised in a highly religious household that was the basis of her Chrisian upbringing and strong faith. Bernice loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For over 80 years, Bernice was a lifetime member of Gillis Memorial Community Church. She attended Sunday School, served on the Sanctuary Choir, attended Bible Study, and was active in church fund raisers. All her children and grandchildren, Sherricka and Ramon attended and were baptized at Gillis Memorial Community Church. She attended Baltimore City Public Schools and graduated from Dunar High School in 1955. She matriculated at Morgan State University majoring in Elementary Education. She held several corporation occupations such as Stewart's University of Maryland Baltimore Country, and eventually retired from Barr National Pharmacy. In 1960 she was married to Gene Augustus Copeland and they were blessed with three children. Gene, Shari, and Ursula. She later married James Jackie Stokes on July 31, 1978. They were married until his passing on August 30, 2024. Bernice loved the Lord, music, cooking, dancing, and travel. Family was extremely important to her. She leaves to mourn and celebrate her life and legacy: her dedicated daughters, Shari Wingfield (Rick) and Ursula Wallace (Raymond); four grandchildren, Sherricka Wingfield, Ramon Wingfield, Ryan Miller ad Gina Copeland; great-grandchildren Deion Reed, Isaiah Copeland, Ramon Wingfield Jr., Isaiah Wingfield, and India Wingfield; sister-in-law, Doris McQuaige Duncan; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, god-siblings, other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Bernice E Stokes

February 21, 1937 - April 12, 2025