Bernice was an accomplished pianist and enjoyed playing the piano all of her life. The daughter of a music teacher, Annie Coleman Lee and rural letter carrier Milton C. Lee, she was born August 7, 1912 in Stroud, Alabama. She died peacefully Sunday November 21, 2004 at the age of 92. For her last few years, she resided at Savannah Court of Marietta, where she continued to enjoy playing her piano.
After studying music at Berry College in Rome, Bernice moved to Atlanta in 1934 and married Charles M. Thomas, Jr. of Atlanta. They had three children, the late Charles M. Thomas, III and 2 daughters, Gloria and Patsy. They resided in Atlanta where Bernice became involved in garden, church and civic organizations. On many occasions, Bernice provided music for social events, fashion shows at Rich's Department Store, and weddings. After her beloved husband's death in 1967, Bernice enjoyed working part-time as a sales associate in the music department at the downtown Atlanta Rich's store. Her customers enjoyed her enthusiasm for her work.
In 1972, Bernice married long-time family friend James C. Bearden, Jr, president of the Bearden-Thompson Electric Company of Atlanta. They resided in Marietta and spent seven enjoyable years together before Mr. Bearden passed away. The Beardens were members of First Presbyterian Church of Marietta.
Bernice was a true extrovert and is remembered by her family and friends as always paying compliments to everyone she met. Bernice was predeceased by her son, Charles M. Thomas III who lost his battle with leukemia in 1969. Bernice was survived by her devoted daughters and their families, Gloria and Jerry Colley of Lilburn; Patsy and Jim North of Gainesville, FL; and her 7 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren; one sister, Catherine Lee Brown of Five Points, AL, and several nieces and nephews.
After studying music at Berry College in Rome, Bernice moved to Atlanta in 1934 and married Charles M. Thomas, Jr. of Atlanta. They had three children, the late Charles M. Thomas, III and 2 daughters, Gloria and Patsy. They resided in Atlanta where Bernice became involved in garden, church and civic organizations. On many occasions, Bernice provided music for social events, fashion shows at Rich's Department Store, and weddings. After her beloved husband's death in 1967, Bernice enjoyed working part-time as a sales associate in the music department at the downtown Atlanta Rich's store. Her customers enjoyed her enthusiasm for her work.
In 1972, Bernice married long-time family friend James C. Bearden, Jr, president of the Bearden-Thompson Electric Company of Atlanta. They resided in Marietta and spent seven enjoyable years together before Mr. Bearden passed away. The Beardens were members of First Presbyterian Church of Marietta.
Bernice was a true extrovert and is remembered by her family and friends as always paying compliments to everyone she met. Bernice was predeceased by her son, Charles M. Thomas III who lost his battle with leukemia in 1969. Bernice was survived by her devoted daughters and their families, Gloria and Jerry Colley of Lilburn; Patsy and Jim North of Gainesville, FL; and her 7 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren; one sister, Catherine Lee Brown of Five Points, AL, and several nieces and nephews.
Bernice was an accomplished pianist and enjoyed playing the piano all of her life. The daughter of a music teacher, Annie Coleman Lee and rural letter carrier Milton C. Lee, she was born August 7, 1912 in Stroud, Alabama. She died peacefully Sunday November 21, 2004 at the age of 92. For her last few years, she resided at Savannah Court of Marietta, where she continued to enjoy playing her piano.
After studying music at Berry College in Rome, Bernice moved to Atlanta in 1934 and married Charles M. Thomas, Jr. of Atlanta. They had three children, the late Charles M. Thomas, III and 2 daughters, Gloria and Patsy. They resided in Atlanta where Bernice became involved in garden, church and civic organizations. On many occasions, Bernice provided music for social events, fashion shows at Rich's Department Store, and weddings. After her beloved husband's death in 1967, Bernice enjoyed working part-time as a sales associate in the music department at the downtown Atlanta Rich's store. Her customers enjoyed her enthusiasm for her work.
In 1972, Bernice married long-time family friend James C. Bearden, Jr, president of the Bearden-Thompson Electric Company of Atlanta. They resided in Marietta and spent seven enjoyable years together before Mr. Bearden passed away. The Beardens were members of First Presbyterian Church of Marietta.
Bernice was a true extrovert and is remembered by her family and friends as always paying compliments to everyone she met. Bernice was predeceased by her son, Charles M. Thomas III who lost his battle with leukemia in 1969. Bernice was survived by her devoted daughters and their families, Gloria and Jerry Colley of Lilburn; Patsy and Jim North of Gainesville, FL; and her 7 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren; one sister, Catherine Lee Brown of Five Points, AL, and several nieces and nephews.
After studying music at Berry College in Rome, Bernice moved to Atlanta in 1934 and married Charles M. Thomas, Jr. of Atlanta. They had three children, the late Charles M. Thomas, III and 2 daughters, Gloria and Patsy. They resided in Atlanta where Bernice became involved in garden, church and civic organizations. On many occasions, Bernice provided music for social events, fashion shows at Rich's Department Store, and weddings. After her beloved husband's death in 1967, Bernice enjoyed working part-time as a sales associate in the music department at the downtown Atlanta Rich's store. Her customers enjoyed her enthusiasm for her work.
In 1972, Bernice married long-time family friend James C. Bearden, Jr, president of the Bearden-Thompson Electric Company of Atlanta. They resided in Marietta and spent seven enjoyable years together before Mr. Bearden passed away. The Beardens were members of First Presbyterian Church of Marietta.
Bernice was a true extrovert and is remembered by her family and friends as always paying compliments to everyone she met. Bernice was predeceased by her son, Charles M. Thomas III who lost his battle with leukemia in 1969. Bernice was survived by her devoted daughters and their families, Gloria and Jerry Colley of Lilburn; Patsy and Jim North of Gainesville, FL; and her 7 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren; one sister, Catherine Lee Brown of Five Points, AL, and several nieces and nephews.
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