Bernice Gilcrease
Bernice Gilcrease, 86 of Beaumont died Thursday June 7, 2007 at Harbor Hospice House in Beaumont.
Born in Alexandria, Louisiana on January 16, 1921, she grew up in El Dorado, AR. She moved to Beaumont shortly after WWII when her husband, Frank, took a supervisory position with the Beaumont Enterprise and Journal production department. She was a resident of Beaumont for over sixty years. Before retirement, Bernice worked as the bookkeeping supervisor for Southwestern Labs for twenty-two years. Bernice and Frank celebrated a long and loving marriage before his death in 1996.
Bernice’s faith has always been an integral part of her life. A long time member of North End Baptist Church, she and Frank were instrumental in the formation of Pine Burr Baptist Church. Shortly after Frank’s death, she moved to join family in southern Utah. She became an active member of the First Southern Baptist Church of Hurricane.
Upon returning to Beaumont in 2006, she resumed membership in the Faith Class of Calvary Baptist Church. She has been a bible study leader and Sunday school teacher, as well as serving on various committees within all of her churches.
Bernice was involved in many professional, community, and social organizations. These organizations include Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, The Business and Professional Women’s Organization and Women in Construction. As a working mother of two active children, she enjoyed supporting them in various school and social functions. She was never too busy to be a loving mom. Her hobbies included arts and crafts, fishing, reading and travel.
Bernice is preceded in death by her grandson Derek Shannon; her parents; four brothers; and two sisters. She is survived by her son, David L. Gilcrease and his fiancé Nikko Litras of Hurricane, Utah; daughter, Mary Bray and husband Roy of Beaumont; four grandchildren, Larry Arnold and wife Rita of El Dorado, Kansas, Lauri Arnold, Kandi Calder and Kevin Shannon of Beaumont; five great grandchildren; and six great-great grandchildren.
A gathering of family and friends will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Sunday, June 10, 2007 and again from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 am Monday, June 11, 2007 at Broussard’s Mortuary, 1605 North Major Drive. Funeral service will be 11:00am Monday, June 11, 2007 at the mortuary with burial to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. Photographs celebrating Bernice’s life may be viewed at Broussard’s website.
Memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 3650 Dowlen Rd, Beaumont, Texas 77706 or First Southern Baptist Church of Hurricane – Building Fund, 1565 West State Street, Hurricane, UT. 84737 or Calder Baptist Church, 1005 North 11th Street, Beaumont, 77702.
The family wishes to thank the loving and caring staff and doctors at Harbor Hospice House for their kindness and support during this time of sorrow.
