Bernice V. Thornton

Bernice Virginia Hollie Thornton, daughter of the late Reginald and Mabel Hollie, was born on April 1,1925. She quietly departed this earth to be with her Savior on Tuesday, July 25, 2006.Bernice attended St. Catherine’s Academy, now known as St. Pius School, where she graduated. Bernice moved to East Baltimore in 1950 and joined St. Ann’s Church. Soon after, she met her soul mate, Jimmie Lee Thornton. They were married at St. Ann’s and became the proud parents of nine children. She was preceded in death by two of her children, Donald and Pamela. In 1970, she lost her husband to a kidney disease and was left to raise her children on her own with the help of her sister, Pauline Lewis.Everyone she met felt she was a trusted friend and called her Momma, or Ms. Bernice. If someone needed a place to stay, she provided it. If someone needed something to eat she fed them. If someone needed money, she gave them her last dollar. She always gave all that she had, and never asked for anything for herself. When she was sick she never complained, and would work hard to shield her pain and concerns from her children.Her family will always remember their Momma as the cornerstone of the family. She was the person everyone from the neighborhood would check in with because she would listen without judging and would only give advice as a gentle suggestion. She was in the kitchen, preparing with love, the food her family desired. She always planned trips to Atlantic City to have fun with her sister, and all of their friends. She was on the phone to all she couldn’t visit. And she was known for her tasty spaghetti and pineapple upside down cake and you would always find a big chocolate cake on her kitchen table.Bernice leaves to cherish her memory: her sister Pauline Lewis; step-father, Herbert Clark; children, Brenda Royster, Joyce, Carolyn, Michael, Sharon, Kevin, and Paulette Thornton; grandchildren, Darlene Buchanan, Donald Anthony Speaks, Jr., Karen Royster, Vernita Franklin, Charlita Valentine, Stephanie Thornton, Dana Thornton, and Alvin Wells; great grandchildren, Antonio Wilkens, Kareem Proctor, Kieria Franklin, Reginald Drummond, Moses Buchanan, Bradford Buchanan, Lola Buchanan, Shanika Thornton, Rayshawn Campbell, Dana Thornton, Jr., Raheem Campbell, Michael Daniels, Spencer Sumler, Koneisha Robinson, Shalom Thornton, Cynthia Wells, Mickel Daniels, Jaylen Wells, Danean Hickman, Donald Anthony Speaks,III, Karin Daniels, D’Angelo Speaks, Karon Daniels, Mercedes Fernandez, John Johnson, Dashawn Thornton, Albany Wells; great great grandchildren, Antonio Wilkens, Jr., Quinija Wilkens, Ariella Wilkens, Jr., Erin Wilkens, and Mekhi Franklin; a niece, Michelle Thomas-Taylor and a host of cousins and friends.

Tributes

Bernice V. Thornton

April 1, 1925 - July 24, 2006