Bernice Calebro

September 5, 1921-October 17, 2017

Bernice, 96, passed away Tuesday, October 17, 2017 at CMC Pineville. She was born

September 5, 1921 in Van Wyck, South Carolina to the late Walter E Starnes and Odessa

Courtney Starnes. Bernice was one of seven children and grew up working on the family farm.

She graduated from Van Wyck School.

Bernice moved to Charlotte, North Carolina in 1940 to work at the Hudson Hosiery Mill in

the cafeteria. She lived in a boarding house on Morehead Street and discovered many new

things in the "big city". Bernice moved to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania after the start of World War II

and built airplane parts for the government. Upon her return to Charlotte, she worked at the

Shell Plant making munitions for the war effort. The plant closed the day the war ended.

Bernice went to work for the Lance Company on South Boulevard. She worked there until the

late 40s before joining Panda Curtain Company. She stayed home with her children until

Cheryl went away to college. At that time she worked for Eckerd Warehouse. She retired in 1991.

Bernice married her husband, George Leon Calebro, March 4, 1949. They welcomed Diane

to the family in 1950, Cheryl in 1960 and Robbie in 1961. There were however many children

in the home over the years. Bernice and Leon were foster parents that took in children in

emergency situations and the medically fragile. The home was rarely without the sound of

laughter from the many children. Bernice loved children. Her home and her heart were always

open to them.

Bernice was an independent woman at a time when most women were not. She believed in

speaking her mind and being well informed. With Leon's schedule at the Fire Department, she

was often left at home alone with the children. She taught them all to be independent and to

stand up for what you believe in.

Bernice was a wonderful cook and you never left her house hungry. Neighborhood children

knew that they could stop in anytime to eat. She was well known for her cold oven pound cake

and her macaroni and cheese. The family always had a huge garden until Leon's death. Bernice

canned thousands of quarts of vegetables over the years.

Bernice was a fabulous seamstress. She sewed constantly when the children were young. She

often made an outfit from just seeing a picture in a magazine. She was talented at most handwork.

She knitted, crocheted and did embroidery. She always said that busy hands were happy hands.

Bernice was an avid gardener. She loved digging in the dirt. She had a green thumb and could

make just about anything grow. She was most proud of her African violets. Bernice had a great appreceation for birds as well and enjoyed feeding them and watching them while in the garden.

Bernice was a huge animal lover. She had a variety of pets over the years although it had mostly

been cats in the last 20 years. She leaves behind her special girl, Jinx, who was fondly know as

Lassie. Jinx often alerted the family to any distress that Bernice may be exhibiting. Although not technically "hers", Clancy sought out Bernice for comfort and could often be found on her lap.

Bernice never met a stanger. She could strike up a conversation with anyone. This mortified her

children when they were younger but made them smile as they matured. Above all, Bernice

loved her family. She made sacrifices for her children to have the best possible lives. She loved

her nieces and nephews wholeheartedly. There were so many people that touched her life

that became family. Family was her world.

Bernice leaves behind to cherish her memory: daughters, Diane Wheeles and Cheryl Calebro of Charlotte, NC; granddaughter, Dana Wheeles of Charlottesville, VA; grandsons, Jason Calebro

and wife Jessica of Charlotte, NC and Bert Calebro and wife Jessica of Tampa, FL; brother, Wayne Starnes and wife Marie of Columbia, SC; sister in laws, Lucy Calebro of Chesapeake, VA and Betty Starnes of Gastonia, NC; "bonus" grandson, Justin Oxendine of Charlotte, NC; many loving nieces

and nephews. Bernice was recently preceded in death by her son Robbie Calebro and is survived

by his fiancee, Denise "Dolly" Burris and her son Zack of Kannapolis.

Bernice was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Leon Calebro' a great grandson, Aiden

Calebro; brothers, Truesdale Starnes, Ralph Starnes, Carter Starnes and Ray Starnes: and a

sister, Evelyn Starnes Gamble.

McEwen Funeral Home Pineville is serving the family. A visitation will be held Thursday, October 19, 2017 from 6-8pm. A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 20, 2017 at 1:00pm with the Reverend Holly Evensen presiding.

Donations may be made in her name to:

1-Moore's Chapel United Methodist Church

10601 Moores Chapel Road

Charlotte, NC 28214

2-Saving Southern Kitties at savingsouthernkitties.com or

3-Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte

1613 E. Morehead Street

Charlotte, NC 28207