Bernice Ellis

She was born February 5, 1931 in Beaumont, Texas. Her family returned to Marcantel Settlement near DeQuincy a few years later. Upon graduating from DeQuincy High School, Bernice moved with her mom and a younger brother to Lake Charles. She worked in several retail positions before she became a switchboard operator at the Cities Service Refinery on the graveyard shift. She fondly recounted the wonderful co-workers she met during her work there. Bernice attended Bethel Baptist Church, where she met her late husband of 61 years, Rollin Milton Ellis, Jr. They married on February 27, 1954 following a courtship of 90 days. It was love at first sight. As a wife and mother of three, Bernice enjoyed working both in and out of the home. She retired from the Calcasieu Parish School System after working as a special education paraprofessional and a general school aide. Bernice worked with students and teachers at Western Heights Elementary and Frasch Elementary. She also loved to do yard work where she kept a large flower garden. She shared her love for being outdoors and of growing flowers with her family. Bernice enjoyed the many friendships she made over the years through her church, work places, and school activities with her daughters. She served the American Heart Association as a neighborhood campaign representative. At the age of 79, Bernice successfully underwent brain tumor surgery at MD Anderson and returned home without any complications.

Bernice and Rollin reared their three daughters in Westlake: Teresa Chance (Doug), Lori Manuel (Russ), and Lynette Dewey (Steve).

Bernice was preceded in death by her husband, Rollin, June 23rd of this year; her parents Leslie and Octavia Langley Dunham of Marcantel Settlement; one brother: George W. Dunham of Westlake; four sisters: Louise Glass of Walker, Lessie Waldron of Baton Rouge, Lucille Marcantel of Westlake, and Velma Durham of Bedford, Texas. A fifth sister, Vernice, died at the age of two.

Bernice is survived by three daughters; one grand-daughter: Rachal Chance of New Orleans; five grand-sons: Derek and Doug Peterson, both of Westlake; Daniel Peterson (Brooke) of Lake Charles; Joey Clark (Lexee) of Moss Bluff; Nicholas Ackel of Lafayette; six great-grandchildren; one brother: Jimmy Dunham (Vera) of Denham Springs; and a host of extended family living from Texas to Georgia and in between.

The funeral arrangements will be directed by Hixon Funeral Home in Westlake followed by internment in the Magnolia Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, December 30, 2015, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. The memorial service will be in the chapel, Thursday, December 31, 2015, 10:00 a.m. The chapel will open at 8:00 a.m.

Dr. Douglas Chance (son-in-law) will deliver the eulogy. Pallbearers will be Bernice’s five grandsons and two sons-in-law: Russ Manual and Steve Dewey. Honorary Pallbearers will be nephews: Robbie Marcantel of New Orleans; Tyre Glass of Baton Rouge; and Sheldon Dunham of Troup, Texas.

The family of Bernice Ellis would like to thank family, friends and many unnamed prayer warriors across multiple states who have called her name in prayer since her health began to fail in early November. Prayers were answered on Monday morning when the Lord took Bernice to her eternal home. All of the physical pain caused by multiple chronic conditions and severe rheumatoid arthritis were immediately removed to suffer no more. Bernice quietly and peacefully went to sleep. God’s grace was more than sufficient. Sincere appreciation is expressed to the many physicians, nurses and staff who provided exceptional medical care and emotional comfort for our loved. Doctors Michael Traub, Corey Foster, and Luke Williams of Lake Charles; Dr. Ganesh Rao, Ms. Cheryl, and staff, Brain and Spine Center, MD Anderson; Christus St Patrick’s ICU nurses and attending physicians, Unit 4100 medical staff, Christus St Patrick’s Home Health and Landmark of Lake Charles administrators and caregivers are to be commended. Their medical expertise was always evident, but their human spirit and compassion for the patient as an individual never wavered.

Bernice Dunham Ellis will be missed by those whose lives she touched in her brief 84 years, but joyfully she went to meet her Savior and Lord for eternity. This heavenly homecoming date was set when she met her Savior as a young girl while attending brush arbor meetings and church services with her cousins conducted by Rev. Gus Langley of DeQuincy, Bernice’s uncle. She was a longtime member of Westwood Baptist Church when she first moved to town and of First Baptist Westlake the past twenty years.

The family members of Bernice sincerely appreciate your expressions of love and covet your on-going prayers at this time. As much as Bernice loved flowers, a hand written note she penned revealed her request that any memorial donations in honor of her memory be directed to The Baptist Children’s Home of Monroe, to make a positive difference in the life of a child.