Bernice Harris

Bernice Harris, affectionately known as “Ms. B” or “Bunny,” was born September 25, 1945, to the union of Willie and Lenora Harris, in Tunica, MS. Bernice accepted Christ and was baptized at any early age, and she loved singing in the church choir. Bernice received her education in the Tunica County School District. After graduating from high school, she married her childhood sweetheart, Rufus White, moved to St. Louis, MO., and to that union five children were born. She later moved to Chicago to be closer to her mother. She first joined Greater Little Rock M.B. Church, under the leadership of Rev. LeRoy Davenport, where she served on the Usher Board alongside her mother and sister. She later moved her membership to Greater Mt. Hebron M.B. Church, under the leadership of Rev. E.F. Ledbetter, Jr., and her final church home was Holy Covenant M.B. Church, under the leadership of Rev. Otis Allen, where she served on the Mother’s Board. In the early 1980s, Bernice found employment with Susan Gale Boutique/Sam The Shoe Doctor, where she worked until her retirement in 2011. In 1984, she met, fell in love and spent 26 years with her soul mate, James Brownlow. Bernice was a fun-loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend. She was often the life of the party, enjoyed spending time with her sisters (who were her best friends and confidantes) and loved joking around. She also loved playing cards: spades, gin rummy and bid whist were her favorites. Bernice touched the lives of everyone she came into contact with, often through her love of cooking; her famous turkey dressing, potato salad and chitterlings were the most requested by her family and friends. Bernice departed into eternal life on Sunday, January 15, 2017. She was preceded in death by her parents, Willie and Lenora Harris; ex-husbands, Rufus White and James Brownlow; three sisters, Dorothy, Leotha and Charlene; three brothers, Arthur, Charlie and Ricky; and both her sons, John and Steven. Bernice leaves behind to cherish and celebrate her memory, her three daughters, Corrie of St. Louis, MO., and Carolyn and Michelle White of Chicago, IL; two brothers-in-law, Roy of Chicago, IL and Charles of Detroit, MI, three sisters-in-law, Earlene of Chicago, IL; Bernice of Tunica, MS and Ruby of St. Louis, MO; 18 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and dear friends