Although our hearts are broken with profound emptiness and it seems like irreparable pain, we can celebrate the life of our beloved Mother Bernice Henry. Knowing that she is now in the presence of the Lord, we find peace, for she departed us on December 19, 2025. Bernice Henry was born April 1, 1934, to the late Burnett and Kate King in Marion, Alabama. She was the 5th of 12 children. She made a commitment and accepted Christ at an early age at Eagles Grove Baptist Church, Marion, AL and has been running for Jesus for a long time. She taught the Bible and amazingly fed the neighborhood as much as she could.

She attended Lincoln High School in Marion, AL where she played on the girls’ basketball team and won Homecoming Queen. At the age of 18, she moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where she eventually married. Throughout the years, Bernice worked for General Electric, the Cleveland Clinic, and the Shaker Heights School District as a teacher’s aide. She also became a Mary Kay consultant and loved hosting makeup parties and working with her dedicated friend, Blanche Dailey.

Mother Henry was a graduate of the Moody Bible Institute and was active at Saint Andrews Missionary Baptist Church. She was a chartered member of First Missionary Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir and served on the Mother’s Board. She served as the Superintendent of Sunday School for 32 years until she took ill, often saying, “I must work the work for Him that sent me while it is Day; Night is coming, no man can work.” Mother raised more money than anyone for the church. As the Women’s Day chair for many years, she loved helping others raise money and love one another. She raised money for Young Women Working for Christ and highly supported Young Men of Religious Prestige, St. Jude, Feed the Children, and more. Her favorite event was The Red Dress March, where she gathered women together for teaching and learning about women in the Bible. It was said that Mother Henry was responsible for the A-frame being put on First Missionary Baptist Church; she didn’t just talk the talk, she walked it. Her spiritual leaders whom she respected and loved were always her pastors, whomsoever God placed, but she also loved Billy Graham and Charles Stanley.

Bernice was a virtuous woman and the proud mother of eight. Her children and grandchildren were her motivation, and no matter what the challenges even being a cancer survivor, Mother Henry always pushed her way through with a smile and faith that Jesus would bring her through—and He did. Her favorite saying was “Let that go,” as she was so loving. Nothing wavered her mind from God. Even when she was diagnosed with dementia, she still knew the Bible and continued to sing in the choir. She received so many requests to sing because so many loved her voice as well as her smile. Some of her favorite songs were “Elijah Rock,” “I’ll Go,” “You’ve Got A Friend”,” and “I Love You Lord” by CeCe Winans.

She loved to laugh and bring joy to everyone she graced with her presence. She was known for her fabulous cooking, having that special touch in the kitchen along with her sister, Emma. She loved sports and actively supported her 8 children and her grandsons, Junior and Caleb, at all their sporting events. Her favorite teams were the Cleveland Cavaliers, Browns, Guardians (Indians), Ohio State, and Alabama. She loved talking on the phone to her friends about the Bible or whatever sports game aired. She also loved to wear her “Obama brown hat.” For leisure, she enjoyed watching Sanford and Son, The Golden Girls, The Price is Right, and especially Victor Newman on The Young and the Restless. She loved the young people in the church, and they loved her. She had a love for everyone, because she always had an encouraging word about the Lord.

Bernice has gained eternal life, resting with her parents, Burnett and Kate King; her sisters Emma (Ned) Sanders, Madeline Inell Broth, and Willie and Maggie (Alonzo) Gore; and her brothers Willie and Christopher King. She leaves to cherish her memories, Siblings: David King, Elnora (Ronald), Pauline, Violine (Frank) Burns, Edward King, Katie (Oliver) Ruth Robinson, Nancy (Anthony) Fleming 5 daughters: Diane McElrath, Octavia Smith, Sharon Smith, Bernice (Roland) Lancaster, and Juanita Minor; and 3 sons: Cecil (Pam) Smith, Keith (Danita) Smith, and Kenneth (Sonya) Smith. Her legacy continues through more than 24 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren, along with a host of siblings, nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.