As The Curtain of Life Opens, Berna Lee Haywood was born August 30, 1929, in Austin, TX to Abe and Ethel Haywood. Berna attended Blackshear Elementary, Keeling Junior High, and graduated from Anderson High School in 1947. She accepted Christ at an early age at Ebenezer Baptist Church and served as an usher alongside her dad for both morning and evening services. She began playing the piano and organ at age 6 and had an angelic voice that allowed her to become a select member of the Ebenezer Baptist Church Gospel Choir. Years later, she would work playing the organ for Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church, and other Austin churches to help ease the burdens of her mother when her father became blind. Berna dreamed of pursuing a career in Architecture and wished to attend The University of Texas, however, during those times, The University of Texas did not permit people of color to receive an education, so she attended Tillotson College instead. Realizing her grandmother and other relatives’ inability to read and write was because they were born into slavery and slaves were not allowed to be educated influenced Berna greatly. She made it her goal to ensure every child she crossed paths with was equipped with an opportunity to read, write, and learn and she pursued a degree in Education with an emphasis in Home Economics. While in college, she became interested in string instruments and showed such great promise playing the violin that she was selected as a member of the Tillotson Symphony Orchestra. Berna continued to serve and work both in and out of the church while helping to care for her parents throughout her college career. After graduating from Huston-Tillotson College, Berna’s thirst for learning and education began to simmer again. She decided to pursue a Master’s Degree at Texas Southern University and would travel during the summer months to complete coursework. While working on a graduate project, Berna expanded her gifts and discovered a profound love for painting. As a lover of visual arts and painting, Berna found interest in a photography class being offered at TSU in the summer of 1954 and decided to enroll. Little did she know, showmanship, and unique style leading the T.S.U. Ocean of Soul Marching Band as drum major for 3 years. Allison laid eyes on Berna and had to know who this beautiful, intelligent, virtuous woman with striking brown & hazel eyes was. Her eyes revealed all the qualities that dwelt within his heart and he knew he found his soulmate as she always brought out his better half. As they both continued their graduate studies, they received teaching jobs taking them away from their hometowns, Berna to Elkhart, and Al to Mexia. Both would go on to complete Master of Education degrees at East Texas State University. On July 28, 1956, Berna married her best friend and soulmate and would go on to work in Palestine, TX and Midland TX as married couples could not work in the same district during those times. Their first child was born on May 8, 1958. Baby Tucker, their first son who they did not have a chance to name, passed away the following day on May 9, 1958. Years later, Berna and Al, both settled into Oak Cliff and became educators in South Dallas. On December 28, 1963, God blessed them with their second child, Allison Conway Tucker, Jr. who was a constant reminder of love, faith, and the value of family, On February 16, 1968, the family was complete when God blessed them with a beautiful, bouncing baby girl, Regina Caroline Tucker, who was the apple of their eyes. All of the children born to their union were a testament to their love. The Tucker’s spiritual home as a young family was Munger Avenue Baptist Church where they all served in ministry. In the ’90s, the family joined Friendship-West Baptist Church after an invite to worship from Regina. Berna was known for teaching, coaching, counseling, and promoting education by any means necessary. She was a quiet giant as she developed and served the students of her school and the community. Her students blossomed, which resulted in her being selected as “Teacher of the Year” on numerous occasions. Berna would go on to serve as an Educator in Dallas ISD until she retired with over 45 years of service from H.S. Thompson High School. Berna Tucker served unselfishly and unfailingly as a mother, grandmother, and wife of 43 years until her husband, the late Allison C. Tucker, Sr. was called home and preceded her in death. As the curtain of life closes and Berna takes her final bow, Berna leaves front and center in the spotlight of life, service, education, and the arts, her legacies of love: son, Allison C. Tucker, Jr. (Dallas, TX); daughter, Regina C. Tucker (Dallas, TX); brother and sister-in-law, Abe and Jeannette Haywood (Riverside, CA); grandson, Allison C. Traylor (Atlanta, GA); grandson, Alexander D. Tucker (Dallas, TX); grandson, Allison C. Tucker III (Atlanta, GA); “The Twins”, granddaughter, Regan A. Tucker and grandson, Ryan A. Tucker (Dallas, TX); Dejah Tucker (Houston, TX); great grandson, Derek Dywayne Wright III (Houston, TX); and great grandson, Jupiter Giovanni Randolph Traylor (Atlanta, GA). She also leaves to cherish her memory angels here on earth, Lincoln High School Band Member & Majorette, DeWanda S. Jefferson (Leesburg, VA); Jennifer Adams (Dallas, TX), Nychelle D. Winters (Dallas, TX) and a host of relatives, friends and students.
