Bernice was born April 12, 1931, eldest of four, to William (Bill) and Grace Richey in Lawrence County, Arkansas. She graduated valedictorian in 1948 at Lynn High School, Lynn, Arkansas. She later attended two years at Williams Baptist College, Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. There she met and married Kenneth Caery, a ministerial student.
Their churches were in Arkansas, California (planting five new churches in eight years). There she began a secretarial career in addition to church duties (Sunday School Teacher, Training Union Leader), Vacation Bible School director, church pianist and/or organist.
She was a member of Beech Street First Baptist Church and Mary/Martha Sunday School Group since 1971.
Bernice was preceded in death by her parents, 2 brothers and a sister.
Survivors include two sons, Kent Caery of Texarkana and Jon Caery (wife, Victoria) of Clarksville, Arkansas; one grandson, Kirk (wife Amanda) of Texarkana, AR; two granddaughters, Grace and Aley of Clarksville, two great granddaughters, Zoey and Lanie Caery of Texarkana, Arkansas; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Services will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at Beech Street First Baptist Church with Rev. Craig Jenkins officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Gardens under the direction of East Funeral Home - Downtown. Family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at the funeral home.
Online tributes may be made at www.eastfuneralhome.com.
