Bernice Elaine Gordon

Bernice Elaine Gordon, 81, passed after a long journey and has gone to be with her husband Charles E. Gordon and grandson Andrew Blake. She passed away at the Golden Age Manor in Stevensville, Mich., Saturday, January 16, 2010.

Bernice was born Nov. 26, 1928, to the late Arthur and Edna (Johnson) Underwood. On April 26, 1947, she wed the love of her life, Charles Earl Gordon.

Bernice was a member of the Lakeshore Baptist Church and was involved with aiding single women with children in Benton Harbor with the State of Michigan Foster Care System. She also was a member of a women's sorority in Benton Harbor and started the Twin City Banquet Girls in that city. She lived in the area for over 50 years and enjoyed traveling, fishing, camping and boating.

Bernice is survived by her daughter Benita (Dean) Foster of St. Joseph, Mich.; a granddaughter, Amber Blake of U of M, Ann Arbor, Mich.; a grandson, Rollie (Sarah) Blake of Holiday, Fla.; two great-grandsons, Rollie and Brison Blake of Holiday, Fla.; four sisters, Ella Jean (Louis) Lemons of Dallas, Texas, Patsy (Ray) Pobst of Piggott, Geraldine Potts of Dallas, Texas and Sonya Cole of Piggott; a brother-in-law, Pete Gordon of Piggott, along with several nieces and nephews.

Bernice's family will hold a private memorial service this summer to remember the vibrant life she lived. Memorial donations may be made in Bernice's memory to the Alzheimer's Association, Hospice Home at St. Joseph, Mich., or to a local women's shelter.

Arrangements were entrusted to Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Niles, Mich. Those wishing to post condolences, photos and memories for the family may do so at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com