Bernice Elizabeth Olive Barfield, 97, of Florence, passed away Wednesday, August 17, 2011 after an extended illness. She was born in Wayland Springs, TN and graduated from Loretto High School. She was retired from Sears.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Wiley Lee Olive and Clura Brewer Olive, by her husband of 60 years, Henry Perry Barfield, and by her sister, Eva Olive Holmes.
She is survived by her son, Kenny, and special daughter-in-law, Nancy (Cordray) of Florence, by her two granddaughters and two grandsons-in-law, Amber Gilmer (Scott) of Nashville, TN and Lora Retherford (Jeremy) of Birmingham, whom she loved dearly, by one great granddaughter, Adaline Elizabeth Gilmer, by special cousins Bill Brewer (Anne), Elizabeth Towe (Harry)and Grace Corley all of NC and by her daughter-in-law''s mother, Mrs. Mildred Cordray, of Nashville, TN who became one of her dearest friends.
She was known for her kind and gentle spirit and her willingness to help others in whatever manner she could. Even in declining health she was always thinking of others. Her granddaughters were the pride of her life.
There will be a private family graveside service at Tri-Cities Memorial Gardens with Bob Plunket officiating. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 4-6 p.m. at the Sherrod Avenue Church of Christ where she was a faithful member. Honorary pallbearers will be her grandsons-in-law and past and present elders of the Sherrod Avenue Church of Christ. Elkins Funeral Home is assisting the family.
The family extends thanks to a wonderful family friend, Jan O''Kelley, who patiently and lovingly filled the task of "Driving Mrs. Bernice" for some 18 years. The family also extends its deepest appreciationto Dr. William Hobbs, his nurses and staff at Florence Medical Associates for the excellent care they provided for many years, to Jean Gay Mussleman, Dee Mussleman andTraci Reid and the excellent staff at Eldercare (Jo McCafferty, Jean Canerday, Sherry Clemons and Mable Craig) for assisting with her needs in such a caring manner when she became homebound and to the staff at Hospice of the Tennessee Valley for their kind and gentle assistance during her final days.Special thanks, as well, to Jeff Lawson, Johnny Lawson, Adin Batson, Brian Earwood and the staff at Milner-Rushing Drugs and to Steve Chenault and the staff at Elkins Funeral Home for their professional and caring service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mars Hill Bible School.