Bernice Paralee White

Life ReflectionsBernice was born January 11, 1923 and raised in Richmond fieights. She was one of eleven children born to Lee and Ella Lawrence and moved to the City of St. Louis in 1940. Bernice was educated in the Richmond fieights and St. Louis Public Schools. She attended the Church of the Living God in Richmond fieights and rededicated her life to Christ after joining Antioch Baptist Church around 1955. Bernice married Edward Frank White on September 18, 1950 and together they raised four children Bonita, fiarry, Lawrence and Zenobia. fier husband and two sons preceded her in death. Bernice worked for Bemis Bag Company for over 44 years and served as shop steward and as vice-president of her union (Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union). She was highly regarded for her many efforts to secure fair and just working conditions for her co-workers .. Bernice has been a member of the Antioch Baptist Church where she served as a Sunday school teacher beginning in 1969 until her health began to fail in 2007. She also served diligently with dedication and commitment as a deaconess beginning in 1994. Bernice was an avid and skilled seamstress and was always willing to share her talents with family members, friends, and church family. She served as seamstress and instructor at the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education for the Children's Rally and Youth Department. Bernice also loved to travel. She and "Eddie" took many memorable trips together, several with her Antioch family. They traveled to most of the 50 states as well as many foreign countries. They traveled by car, motor home, bus, plane, train and boat. fier greatest joy was when, she was able to travel with her grandchildren. Bernice was a family person, a people person and a good neighbor who valued the friendship of many. She was always keeping in touch with family and friends with a card, letter, call, or visit. Along with nieces and cousins, Bernice was a driving force in initiating the Lawrence-Eddings Family Reunion. Through her actions Bernice demonstrated family togetherness, family unity, and family love. Bernice leaves to cherish her memories: two daughters, Bonita White and Zenobia Thompson; one daughter-in-law, Lois White of Saint Albans, New York; one sister, Gladys Pressley of San Joe, California; two sisters-in-law, Francine Lawrence and Leola Lawrence; six grandsons, three granddaughters and 16 great