Bernice Love Magee

Mrs. Bernice Love Magee, 86, passed away at home on Monday, March 13, 2017. Visitation will be at Lakewood South Funeral, 430 McCluer Rd, Jackson, MS on Wednesday, March 15, 2017 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, March 16, 2017 in the funeral home chapel with visitation one hour prior. Interment will follow at Lakewood South Memorial Park.

Bernice was born in Maben, MS to Frank Henry and Eula Lee Nason Love. She grew up in the Depression and helped her mother on the farm while four of her brothers fought in World War II. She was always grateful that all four men returned home safely.

After high school, she moved to Jackson and attended Draughon’s Business College while living in a boarding house. One night, a roommate set her up for a blind date with Archie Magee. When Archie saw her, he thought, “She’s the one.” Bernice & Archie married on January 26, 1951. They built a home in south Jackson where they raised their five children and helped raise grandchildren. In 2001, they built a home in Brandon. They enjoyed sixty-six years of marriage.

Through the years Bernice and Archie attended Central, Alta Woods, & Pearl Presbyterian Churches.

Bernice worked as an administrative assistant at Hester & Hester Ins., Cochran Food Services, and CBN. She was also a bridal consultant at Gayfers. She was a gracious southern hostess, welcoming everyone with wonderful food. She loved gathering with her large family on holidays and for lunch every Sunday after church. She loved cooking. She was a master at sewing, quilting, and decorating her home. Her nieces, nephews and their families often talked about her hospitality and thought of her as their grandmother.

She taught her children about Jesus as well as how to love, serve and care for others, always encouraging them to do their best in all they did. She lived by Colossians 3:23 – “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”

Her legacy lives on with her loving husband, Archie Magee; children, Beverly Magee Mayfield (Ransom), Stanley Magee, Randy Magee, Shelia Magee Holifield (Allen), and Geoffrey Magee (Jessica); 8 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

Her family wishes to thank the loving group of caretakers who enabled Bernice to continue living at home with Archie.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to French Camp Academy (One Fine Place, French Camp, MS 39745; https://frenchcamp.org/help-fca ) or Palmer Home for Children (P.O. Box 746, Columbus, MS 39703; https://palmerhome.org/donate/) or Pearl Presbyterian Church – Women in the Church (2933 Old Brandon Rd, Pearl, MS 39208; http://www.pearlpres.com/ )

Please visit lakewoodfuneralhomes.com for the online guestbook to view and post comments and photos.