Bernice Turnbo

Bernice was born January 8, 1939 to the late Roy & Luetishia DuBose in Hughes, Arkansas. She was reared in her formative years by her grandmother, Pearl Louise Parker, and later by her great uncle and aunt, Leonard and Mary Kendrick. She attended Mildred Jackson Elementary School in Hughes and was baptized at King's Chapel Missionary Baptist Church by Rev. R. L. Peal. She moved to Forrest City, Arkansas and attended Eldridge Butler Elementary School in Madison, and later Stewart Elementary School in Forrest City, before finishing at Lincoln Senior High School in Forrest City. She was an active church member her entire life. After she moved to Forrest City, Arkansas, she was a member of Salem Baptist Church, led by Rev. W. A. Owens, and then Beth Salem Baptist Church, led by Rev. George Pitts. When she moved to Chicago, she joined Omega Baptist Church under Rev. Edmund Blair, and in 1976, joined Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church under Rev. Oscar Webster, followed by Rev. Melvin Hayes, and for more than two decades, Rev. Walter W. Matthews, Sr. Bernice was very active at Pleasant Green, but her most satisfying work was as part of The Beautifying Ministry. Bernice met and married Arlushes Turnbo, and their blended family included Betty Jean, Tony, Wattis, Marvin, Jacqueline, Tammy, Debra, and Kimberly, before Arlushes' untimely passing in 1979. Bernice's work life included Warwick/Sanyo Manufacturing Company, Bally Manufacturing Company, and Wessley-Jessen, but her most satisfying work was caring for her grandchild, Michael, who passed in 201 at the age of twenty-five. Bernice lived a long and satisfying life of eighty six years, and almost nine months. She asked us not to cry for her, but to remember the joyful times we spent together. She leaves to cherish her memory a large family, consisting of her sons, Tony, Wattis, and Marvin, and daughters Jacqueline, Tammy, Debra, and Kimberly. She leaves behind her grandchildren, especially Tony Jr., Christopher, Demi, and her GiGi's, Rylee, Ella, and Paxton. She leaves five brothers: Barnett, Melvin, Murry, Jerry and Dewarner; and three sisters: Barbara, Susie and Joyce. She leaves a former daughter in law, Luz Carmen, brother in law Wilbert, sister in law Bobbie Jean, and her favored niece and nephew, Lisa Kay, and Larry, and more nieces and nephews too numerous to name, but loved nonetheless. During the course of her lifetime, she was predeceased by her husband, her parents, her grandmother, her great uncle and aunt, her cousin/sister Alma Ingram, her brother Roy Jr., her daughter Betty Jean, and her grandson mentioned previously, Michael. May she rest in eternity in the bosom of our Lord.

Bernice Turnbo

January 8, 1939 - October 2, 2025