Berniece went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ a few minutes before midnight and was able to sit at the Lord's Thanksgiving table. Berniece was born on March 8, 1929 in Johnston County, North Carolina, the youngest daughter of the late William Alexander Braswell and his wife, Ada Stafford Braswell Hinnant. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Lawrence Earl Beasley and her siblings Kathleen B. Finch, Harvey Braswell, Sr., Doris B. Sweetland, and Zelda B. Wood. Survivors include two daughters and their families. Connie Lynn Peterson (Wayne) of Chesapeake and their children, Amy Michelle Hawthorne (Tim), Brian Peterson (Meredith), Amy Dail Wagner, and Andrew Peterson. Cathy Beasley Anderson (Michael) and their children, Kate Morgan (Jake), Jeff, and Ava Berniece Anderson. Her precious great grandchildren, Jillian Braswell, Charles, and Isabella Hawthorne; Gavin and Molly Peterson, Mason and Connor Wagner, and Bryce and Evan Morgan. She is also survived by her in-laws, Mac and Vickie Beasley of Clayton and Charlie Beasley of Smithfield and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, whom she cherished. Berniece graduated from Wilson Mills High School. She married Lawrence Earl on December 23, 1949 and they moved from Johnston County, NC to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After a year, they moved to Norfolk, Virginia where they made their home and raised their daughters and her husband had a long career as a railroad engineer for Norfolk Southern. Berniece was a secretary for several organizations and retired after 25 years from the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services. Berniece was proud to be a founding member of Grace Baptist Church and attended for over 50 years, serving in many positions. She was known for making the church altar flower arrangements from her garden each Sunday. Berniece became a quilter later in life and received awards for many creations. She loved to make quilts and other items for her family. She was a long time member of the Tidewater Quilters Guild. Berniece most loved being a Mother, Wife, Sister, Aunt, Grandmother and Great Grandmother. We all loved the special times she made for us. Our mother will be taken home to her beloved North Carolina. A graveside service will be conducted by the Rev. Billie Lawson, on Tuesday, November 27th at 1:30 pm. She will be buried next to her husband and her parents in Sunset Memorial Park, Smithfield, NC. The family greatly acknowledges the love and care Berniece received from the special people at The Gardens where she lived the last four years of her life. Memorials may be given to the Wilson Mills Baptist Church Building Fund, 652 Swift Creek Road, Smithfield, NC 27577.

Published in The Virginian Pilot on Nov. 25, 2018