Bernice "Bernie" M. Ussery

Along with his wife, Audrey, Bernie is survived by his sister, Mary Etta Ussery; his daughters, Marcia Kay Vessell and Marilyn Sue (Ricky) Fifield; stepson, Mark (Shirley) Stallcop; daughter-in-law, Nelly Stallcop; sisters-in-law, Gloria Spanier and Louise (Don) Hill; 11 grandchildren, 16 great- grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson.

Bernie was born October 7, 1935, in Searcy, Arkansas. He grew up on his family’s cotton and rice farm in Gould, Arkansas. Bernie was also known as Mack, a name he chose when he started school and came home to announce to his family that he wanted to be called Mack like the truck. Many family members still call him Mack.

Bernie graduated from Watson High School in Watson, Arkansas in 1953. He received an Associate in Arts Degree from Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, California, in 1968.

After graduation from high school, Bernie married Mary Francis Cullens (d. 1985). In 1953, he joined the United States Airforce and reported to Little Rock AFB for Basic Military Training. This started a 28-year career of service ending in retirement in 1982, having reached the rank of Chief Master Sergeant.

He was assigned to bases throughout the United States, as well as England, North Africa and Johnston Island Atoll.

For 22 years, he was involved in Missile Electronics Maintenance. In 1972, he was assigned to the 6555th Aerospace Test Group at Patrick Airforce Base in Florida where he was the Missile Electronics Maintenance Manager reporting directly to the Colonel in charge. This position was of great prominence as Bernie was responsible for overseeing that rocket and shuttle payloads were accurately loaded for blastoff.

After retirement from the Air Force, Bernie was employed by TRW, Inc. and Lockheed in their space launch programs.

Bernie and Audrey Stallcop were married in 1989. In 1998, they began a 17-year commitment to Habitat for Humanity. They worked on 100 homes of which 29 they were house leaders. As members of the Care-A-Vanners, they drove their motorhome to sites throughout the United States and Canada. They also built in New Zealand. Because they both had top level security clearances, they were able to work closely with President Jimmy Carter on builds in Georgia.

Bernie is preceded in death by his parents Bernice and Eleanor Ussery; wife, Mary Francis Cullens; sons, Bernice Ussery, Jr. and Brian Ussery; and stepson, J. Richard (Rick) Stallcop.

No donations or flowers are requested,

only that you take the time to remember the beautiful soul that was Bernie!

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FloridaMemorialFH-Gardens.com for the Ussery family.