THOMAS, Bernice Harris

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Tuesday, July 26, 2006 Bernice Harris Thomas, 81, died Friday, July 21, at Yavapai Regional Medical Center in Prescott. Bernice was born February 9, 1925, in Lynchburg, Virginia. She was the only child of James and Jessie Waugh. She spent her early years in Virginia then moved to Newark, New Jersey. She was educated in the Newark public schools through high school. She married her husband, Willie Lee (William) Thomas in 1946. They were married for 46 years and had four children, Ann Paulette, Leslie Adam, Jessica Tina and Robin who died at birth. In November 1950, she came to Prescott from Newark for the health of her daughter, Ann, who suffered from asthma. At the end of six months, William joined her in Prescott making a temporary re1ocation into a permanent move. She worked for over 20 years at Morris Maler Manufacturing Company, starting out as a seamstress. Over time, Bernice was promoted and became manager of the plant until her retirement. After retirement, she was one of the ‘lunch ladies’ at Miller Valley School. On January 20, 2003, she received the first annual Martin Luther King Award from the Diversity Alliance of Central Yavapai. Bernice and her husband liked to travel. Together they covered the continental United States, Canada and Mexico by car, motorcycle and RV. She has been in 49 of the 50 states. Bernice was loved by many and thought of as a kind and elegant woman. She greatly enjoyed her friends, traveling and roller skating. Bernice was a member of the Prescott Free Methodist Church. Her last months were spent at Pinecrest Adult Care Home where she touched and was touched by everyone there. She received loving care from them and from her church family for which her family is grateful. She is survived by her three children; two grandchildren, Jennifer Griffin and Michael Chapman; and seven great-grandchildren, Morgan and Ryan Shearin, Chloe, Cooper, Emily and Elise Griffin and Gabrielle Smith. Visitation will be held at Heritage Memory Mortuary Wednesday, July 26, 2006, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Services to celebrate Bernice will be held at Prescott Free Methodist Church, 2797 Willow Creek Road, at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 27, 2006. The family asks that instead of flowers, please make a donation in her memory together the Pinecrest Adult Care Home in Prescott or to Special Olympics. Please come dressed colorfully to celebrate a special lady. Burial will follow the services at Mountain View Cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted to Heritage Memory Mortuary. Information provided by survivors.