Bernice Coleman

Bernice was born in West Pointe, Mississippi to Tommie Lee Bowens and Lillie Lee Robertson on March 9th, 1947.

She accepted Christ at an early age on the “Morning Bank”.

She attended school in West Pointe, Mississippi until the family moved to Indianapolis, Indiana at the age of 9. She continued her education at Indianapolis Public School #56 and then on Shortridge High School.

Bernice was married to Nias “Jr” Stevenson until his passing. Being the loving soul that she was, she then met and married Larry Joe Coleman. She nurtured and cared for him until his passing in 2014.

Bernice had a special connection with children. She was a loving foster parent and ran a home daycare. All the children loved “Ms. Bernice”. Bernice lived life to the fullest! She was well traveled and visited 48 of the 50 states. She loved to skate at Schofield Skating Rink and on Sunday nights at St. Rita’s Dancing. When Bernice was not working as a Laundry Press Operator you could find her in her element cooking in the kitchen or playing cards. Bernice loved entertaining family and friends. She was known to be a great listener that will give you her opinion whether you wanted it or not. She was truly a great person that would give you her last and will be missed dearly.

Bernice was preceded in death by her mother; Lillie Lee Pounds, brothers; Bobby Joe Bowens, Willie J. Blanchard Sr. and Charles A. Blanchard, sisters; Lottie M. Jones, Zoe Ann Garrison and Linda F. Blanchard.

Those left to honor her memory are her son; Jerome Holiday (Darrella), step-daughters; Valerie Griffin, Sharon Wise and Sandra Lumpkins, father; Tommie Lee Bowens (Betty), grand-daughter; Jerriah S. Holiday, sisters; Janet Brumfield (Thad), Carrie Wilson (Ted), Vanessa Blanchard, LaTanya Brown (DeWayne), Tamia Lysonge (Ekumene), brother; Uriah Bowens, Sister-in-law; Deborah Blanchard, brother-in-law William “Click” Jones, along with a host of nephews and nieces.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.crownhill.org for the Coleman family.