Bernice “Bea” Reese Herndon, 86, of Pearland, TX passed peacefully on February 7, 2020 in Manvel, TX. Bea was born on July 31, 1933 in Houston, Texas to Ike and Dorothy Reese. She graduated from Stephen F. Austin High school (Houston, Tx) in 1951 where she was a member of the Scottish Brigade Flag Corp.
In November of 1950, she married James Madison Wright, and after graduating high school, joined him in Tucson, AZ where he was stationed in the Air Force. There, she worked as an elevator operator before returning to Houston to work in retail at Sakowitz. In 1967, she went to work for Link-Belt in Houston as a PBX operator where she would later meet her second husband, Joe Herndon. She continued her PBX/receptionist career with various car dealerships; Boyd Mullen Chevrolet, Chuck Davis Chevrolet, and Charlie Thomas Acura where she retired in 2003.
Bea enjoyed league bowling and competing in Texas/Louisiana area tournaments. She loved vegetable gardening and drinking coffee with her sister Helen. She showered her grandchildren with love by attending their sport and agriculture endeavors, cooking her infamous mac n cheese, and baking dozens of delicious miniature pecan pies. Her most rewarding hobby was handcrafting Christmas stockings and tree skirts for the entire family and numerous friends.
Bea is preceded in death by her son, Stephen Wayne Wright, mother, Dorothy Reese, father, Ike Reese, and sister, Helen Medearis. Bea is survived by her sister, Carolynne Cade, daughters; Dorothy Thomas and husband Vic, Ava Mathis and husband Chris, and Donna Zawada and husband David, six grandchildren; Lori Hewitt, Ike Coronis and wife Michele, April Bunch and husband Jason, James Winstead and wife Ashlee, Ryan Mathis and fiancé Tiffany, and Steven Winstead, nine great-grandchildren; Jack, Allyn, Lane, Corbin, Jaden, Maddie, Xander, Jett, and Maverick. Five nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will include her grandsons; Ike Coronis, Ryan Mathis, James Winstead, Jason Bunch, Jack Hewitt, and Jaden Bunch.
Bea’s Celebration of Life will be held at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home and officiated by Pastor David Goran.
Visitation will be held Thursday, February 13th from 5-8pm, in the Colonial Chapel at Forest Park Lawndale. Funeral service will be Friday, February 14th at 2:00pm, in the Chapel of Angels, followed by burial and graveside services.
The family wishes to thank the caregivers and skilled staff at Autumn Grove Cottage in Manvel, Texas for their heartfelt care during Bea’s stay.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Houston Alzheimer’s Association.
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