Bernice Williams Brown

Bernice Irene Williams Brown, 89, of Lynchburg, VA, formerly of Des Moines, IA, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 14, 2011. She was born in Mason City, IA, on September 3, 1922, to the late Everett Jesse and Anna Sophia Williams.

Bernice graduated from East High School, was a member of First Grace Brethren Church, and, during WWII, was a welder for Solar Aircraft where she met her husband. After 22 years as an accounting clerk, she retired from Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. and then spent many hours volunteering, which she loved. She helped DMPS students with lazy eye syndrome and reading, and, as a member of the Iowa Lutheran Hospital Auxiliary and Pioneers, knitted newborn caps, assisted new mothers, and worked in the Not New Shop. On Thanksgiving and Christmas she helped at a homeless shelter and was Mrs. Santa Claus at the Festival of Trees.

For the past few years she has been in residence at Bentley Commons in Lynchburg, VA, where she was known as the lady who always had a smile on her face.

She was preceded in death by her husband Millard Adren Brown; brother, Clyde Williams (Lois); sister, Geneva Schneider; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Fred and Juanita Long; nephew, Raymond Long; and niece, Jacqueline Crapser (Richard).

The family has very special memories of Bernice and gatherings at her home. She is survived by two sons, Michael Adren Brown (Sandra) of South Windsor, CT, and Dennis Allan Brown (Linda) of Forest, VA; six grandchildren, Julie Kay Hogan (Paul), Brian Adren Brown (Elizabeth), David Allan Brown (Melissa), Rachelle Denise Yow (Stephen) John Camfield Brown, and Timothy Kent Brown (Allison); seven great-grandchildren, Megan Casey Doyle, Jake Adren Brown, Alexandra Rae Brown, Katherine Ashman Yow, Elizabeth McPhearson Yow, Hayden Palmer Brown Yow, and John William Yow; two brothers, Gilbert Williams (Ina) and Robert Williams (Joan); and brother-in-law, Alan Schneider; six nephews, Col. Robert Long (Millie), Doug Williams (Jo), Craig Williams, Steve Williams (Evelyn), Jeff Williams (Darcy), Dan Schneider (Joan); six nieces, Cynthia Porter, Susan Bolter (Tim), Janet Gibbon (Dave), Shonna Naset, Dawnette Brown (Scott) and Dixie Long; and many grandnieces and grandnephews.

A visitation will be held at Hamilton’s on Lyon Street, Des Moines, IA, on Saturday, December 17, 2011, between 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm. A celebration of Bernice's life will be conducted at 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 18, 2011, at Hamilton’s and at Bentley Commons, Lynchburg, VA, at a future date. A private interment will be at Laurel Hill Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to SIM (Serving In Mission), PO Box 7900, Charlotte, NC 28241.

www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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