Bernice Travis Jackson

Bernice Travis was born on a Saturday in a house in Bonicord on January 25, 1941, to the late Marvin and Beatrice Travis. She peacefully passed away early Sunday morning, September 6, at her home in the Bruce community of Dyersburg, where she had lived for more than 50 years.

After graduating from Bruce School in 1960, Bernice married her high school sweetheart and moved to Chicago. There, she welcomed her first two children, Lelan and Melanie. She later returned to Dyersburg and remarried, then welcomed her third child, Corey.

Bernice worked at Sylvania for several years. After the factory closed, she worked at a number of places throughout the years. Among them was Salters Chapel AME Church where she cleaned and helped decorate the church until the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bernice was a lifelong member of Salters Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Her beautiful voice was a gift she gladly shared, and for many years she sang in one of the church choirs, the Whitson Ensemble, which later became the Action Ensemble, a group that traveled throughout the region singing at churches and sharing their love of music.

Bernice had a true talent for painting and decorating, and her creativity could be seen the moment you stepped into her home. She had a special eye for making things her own, often purchasing items and repainting them to suit her personal style. Her home was a reflection of her creativity, personality and love of making things beautiful.

Bernice was preceded in death by her parents, Marvin and Beatrice Travis, affectionately known to their grandchildren as Big Daddy and Big Mama. She was also preceded in death by five siblings: Rev. Beunnie V. Montgomery, Bettie Jean Edwards, Vernon Travis, Larry Travis, and a brother who passed away at birth.

She leaves to cherish her memory two brothers, Willie B. Travis and Rev. Joe (Sadie) Travis.

Bernice's greatest joy was her family. She leaves behind her three children, Lelan (Yolanda) Statom, Melanie Statom, and Corey Hickerson, who will forever cherish her memory. She was a loving Nana to her grandchildren, LeVar Walker, Trey (Stacy) Walker, Kayela (John) Golden, and Taylor Statom, and to her two great-grandchildren, Atilyana Berenice Walker, whose middle name is a tribute and August Golden who was born in May and met his Nana this summer.

She will also be lovingly remembered as “Aunt Niece” by a host of relatives, nieces, nephews and friends whose lives she touched.

Bernice leaves behind a legacy of faith, family, music, creativity and love. Her beautiful voice, warm spirit and the special way she made a house feel like home will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

Arrangements are entrusted with McCreight Funeral Home. Special thanks to Terry McCreight and to Salters Chapel AME and their pastor, Rev. Felicia Ingram.

You may share your memories and condolences with the family at www.mccreightfuneralhome.come 

A Legacy of Life, Every Life is worth Remembering.