Bernice Turner

BERNICE TURNER Feb. 18, 1931-Jan. 18, 2014 Bernice Turner, of Henderson, passed away Jan. 18, 2014. She was born Feb. 18, 1931, in Louisiana, to Richard and Edna Turner, both deceased. She married Willie McGee (deceased). Her parents and siblings moved to Las Vegas in the 1950's, where Bernice began a life for herself and her children. Bernice worked in the hotel industry during the time when the Las Vegas strip was segregated. Although employed as a housekeeper, one of her primary responsibilities was to act as a stylist providing hair and make service, and costuming to African-American entertainers who were not allowed to share dressing rooms with other entertainers. In 1969, she moved to Henderson, where she created a home for her 11 children. Every kid in the neighborhood knew "Miss Bernice." Her house was the one full of children, love, a safe place if your own parents were away, advice on life, a meal if you needed one and a swat on the behind if you stepped out of line. She truly believed that takes a village to raise a child. Bernice was fun-loving and always the life of the party. She will be missed. She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Edna Turner; brothers, Richard Turner Jr., Andrew Turner, Jerry Turner and Elvin Turner; sisters, Lilly Banks, Bertha Rubin and Ethel Johnson; and children, Frankie Turner and Anthony Turner. She is survived by her children, Vester McGee (Betty), Larry McGee (Sherry), Catherine Hildreth, Fred Turner (Dores), Ruby Johnson, Eileen Turner, Rachele Rodgers (Mike), Darryl Turner, Debra Turner, and Tricia Banks-Bell (Daniel); her sisters, Edna Anderson (Junius), Mildred Turner and Margaret Porter; and brothers, Joseph Turner, Roosevelt Turner, Albert Turner, Jeffrey Turner, Percy Turner, Willie Turner, Allen Turner, James Turner and Sylvester Turner. She has a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Visitation will be 3-7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24, at Palm Mortuary, 1325 N. Main St. Funeral services will be at noon Saturday, Jan. 25, at Greater Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church, 1915 Lexington St., Las Vegas, NV 89106.

Arrangements under the direction of Palm Downtown Mortuary, Las Vegas, NV.