Sunrise: January 6, 1924
Sunset: January 9, 2013
Bernice Alva Gibson was born in Brooklyn, New York. She was the first of two daughters born to John Leonardo Baillou and Grace Bernice Hoard Baillou. Bernice lost her mother at the early age of five, and she became a loving big sister/”mom” to her baby sister Constance. As a child, she was strong willed and independent. Through her years of high school, she was a force to be reckoned with. She attended and graduated from Franklin K. Lane High School in Brooklyn, New York.
On October 7, 1943, Bernice married Marcus G. Gibson. From this union three children were born; Michael, Karen, and Gary. Bernice retired from the NYC Department of Social Services after a 30 year career. In 1977, she moved from Hollis, New York to Cocoa Beach, Florida.
Bernice was an active member of St. David’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, in Cocoa Beach. Bernice was dedicated to her family, always loving, always caring, always had an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, hugs when needed, and always offered advice and guidance when asked. She will be missed by all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her husband Marcus. Bernice is survived by her children, Michael, Karen, and Gary; her sister, Constance; her daughters-in-law, Sylvia and Linette; her son-in-law, Errol; her grandchildren, Jonathan, Spencer, Marcus, and Cardella; her great-grandchildren, Jonaia, Reille, Michael, and Elisa; nieces, nephews, and a host of relatives and friends. Bernice, we will love you always and you will surely be missed.
A funeral service will be held at Florida Memorial Funeral Home, 5950 South U.S. Highway 1, Rockledge, FL, on Monday, January 14, 2013 at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Bernice’s Memory to the American Cancer Society (1-800-227-2345) for pancreatic research.
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