Bernice Fordham

FORDHAM, Mrs. Bernice - Age 69, passed away Thursday, June 25, 2009 at McLaren Regional Medical Center. Family hour 11AM Thursday, July 2, 2009 at Faith Temple C.O.G.I.C., 5802 Fleming Rd., with funeral service commencing at 12Noon, Pastor Eric Lewis officiating. Interment River Rest Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 11AM Thursday. Mrs. Fordham will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12Noon-8PM Wednesday. Mother Bernice Fordham was born July 22, 1939 in Lincoln, Nebraska, the daughter of Albert and Johnnie Mae Walker. Bernice received Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, and was baptized in the Flint River by the late Elder Markham. She was a faithful member of Faith Temple C.O.G.I.C. where she served as Co-President of the Home and Foreign Mission, President of the Culinary Committee, Mother’s Board and numerous capacities. Bernice retired from Buick a Division of General Motors and was a member of Local #599. She was a very compassionate person who loved her family with all of her heart. Bernice was affectionately called “Granny” by many. She enjoyed cooking and feeding others. Mother Fordham will always be remembered for her smile and kindness she showed to everyone she met. Mother Bernice Fordham leaves to cherish sweet memories: son, Joseph Jr.; 4 daughters, Valerie Fordham, LaToya Flowers, Lesa (David) Todd, all of Flint and Sonya (Rev. Donald) Coney of Belfast, TN; 11 grandchildren, JaJuan, Markees, Martae, Shacanna, TiAndra, JoAnna and Jessica of Flint, Petty Officer Treal of the U.S. Navy, India, Donald "Lil D." and JaRay, both of TN; 12 great-grandchildren, uncle, John “PeeWee” Works of Kankakee, IL; aunt, Beatrice of Memphis, TN; niece, Terri Lynn Johnson of Northville, MI; special cousins, Willetta Jarvis of Chicago, IL and Rosie Lee Bursey of Mt. Clemons, MI; special sisters and brothers, Earnestine Small, Louise Taylor and Calvin (Janise) Neely; godchildren, Maricatherine Kersey, Clarice Britt; and Joseph Blackwell; father of her children, Joseph (Alma) Fordham, Sr., and the entire Fordham family; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends including the Spillers family, Dorothy Tolbert, John (Essie) Wright, Vivian Neeley, Naomi Jones, Ramona Goodlett, Winthrop St. families, and her baby puppy Scampi. Mother Fordham was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Johnnie Mae Walker; sister, Karlene Beatty; and numerous aunts and uncles. The family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Saed Sahouri, Dr. Joyce Farhner, McLaren ICU Staff, especially Nurse Harvetta, Bishop Fred and Mother Statha Lewis, Pastor Eric Lewis and Faith Temple C.O.G.I.C. family, Pastor Tony C. Richmond and Agape Church family, Pastor Johnson, True Vine and Greater First Baptist Church families, all of Tennessee.

Bernice Fordham

July 22, 1939 - June 25, 2009