Bernice Black

Bernice Stewart Black was born on September 26, 1928 in Crawfordville, Georgia. She departed this life peacefully and sur- rounded by loved ones on Sunday, January 11, 2015, at Hospice in Blue Ash. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lonnie and Mary Stewart; two children, Phillip Stewart and Belinda Phillips; three brothers, Lonnie and Prince Stewart and an unnamed baby brother who passed away shortly after birth; and three sisters, Mamie Bennett, Janie Stewart and Christine Cain.
Bernice gave her life to Christ at an early age and was baptized at Friendship Baptist Church in Crawfordville, Georgia. Bernice graduated from Merton High School where she was valedictorian of her class. Bernice and her sister, Christine left Crawfordville at the tender ages of 20 and 23 making Cincinnati, Ohio their home. Bernice immediately found and joined Zion Baptist Church when it was located on Ninth Street in downtown Cincinnati. Her love for GOD and service compelled her to join the Usher Board, Missionary Circle (Lydia) and Bagged Lunch Ministry where she served in various positions and was an active member until her health failed.
Bernice met her sweetheart and the love of her life, Wiley Black in Cincinnati. He preceded her in death 28 years ago and she remained faithful to that union. They were married for 35 years. To that union was born five amazing children she was very proud of; a civilian oversight police investigator/social worker, a financial director in a large hospital system, a workforce manage- ment analyst, an accountant and an engineering and manufac- turing manager. Bernice worked at the American Linen Supply Company for numerous years and retired from the Princeton City School District where she worked in food service. After her retirement, she returned to work at Kinder Care where she loved planning and cooking meals for the children and staff.
Bernice was very well read and loved watching CNN, HLN and read newspapers and news magazines daily. She held very strong opinions about politics and world affairs and did not hesitate to share her conspiracy theories with her children, other family members and friends. Bernice also loved to tell ghost
stories and tales about growing up and would spend countless evening hours balancing the Intellectual stimuli with Sy-Fy. She LOVED the science fiction cable channel, but more than all of that, she cherished watching her grandchildren, sitting on her back porch soaking in the sun, attending Sunday School, standing at her post as an Usher and reading, studying and living the WORD of GOD. She sacrificed so her family would not have to do so. She pinched every penny to ensure her children all attended college because she didn’t. Her family took priority and she poured into them and countless other neighborhood child- ren. Everybody loved being at Mrs. Black’s house. She was good! She was loved! She will be missed!
Bernice leaves to cherish her memory: two sisters, Indiana Evans of Washington, DC and Lucinda Jones of Decatur, GA; five children, Pamela King (Charles), Brian Black (Angela) of Grand Rapids, MI, Sharon Brown, Tyrone Black (Cynthia) and Craig Black (Jimece) of Lees Summit, MO; 22 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; a special daughter, Linda Nelson; and a host of other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.