Mrs. Bernice Swift Brooks was called home Monday, August 15, 2022, at The Woods Nursing and Rehabilitation in Monticello. She was born May 11, 1933, in Drew County, to the late David Samuel Swift and Claretha Gragg Swift. Bernice was a faithful member of Campground/Mt. Pleasant A.M.E Church. She worked at Burlington Industries, UAM, and Drew County Courthouse before she retired. Bernice was among some of the first to be inducted into the 12th Episcopal District WMS Hall of Fame from the former South Arkansas WMS. She served as Stewardess for Board #1, President of the Missionary Society, was active in the Culinary Ministry, her Local Lay Organization, an active member of the Do-Ra-Me singing group, the Drug-Free Rapper group, and was a member of the Effie Brooks Civic Club. Bernice was co-owner and operator of the ''Ain't Yo Mama's Bar-B-Que Hut'' and she loved to cook, but most of all she loved her family and all she came in contact with. She loved to serve her community where she volunteered at the Woods Nursing Home and was a true show of faith that would always help anyone who needed her.
In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Robert Edward Brooks; siblings, Hubert Hedwood, Richard Swift, James Swift, David Swift, and Mary Vern Thompson.
She is survived by her children, Carolyn (James) Riley of White Planes, Mass. Judy (Rufus) Hudspeth of Little Rock, Margaret (Kenneth) Rogers of Pine Bluff, Clarence (Brenda) Brooks of Monticello, Errix Dewayne (Ruby) Brooks of Pine Bluff, and Ronnie Lee (Gertrude) Brooks of New Hope; fourteen grandchildren; twenty-eight great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; as well as a host of nieces and nephews who all passionately called her Grand-ma Bea; along with many others who loved her and will all miss her.
There was a public viewing from 12 - 7 p.m. at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Chapel on Friday, August 19, 2022. Funeral Services were held Saturday, August 20, 2022, at 10 a.m. in the Stephenson-Dearman Chapel. Interment will follow in Campground/Mt. Pleasant A.M.E. Cemetery.
The family would like to give special thanks to Inez Whitaker, Patsy Williams, and The Woods Nursing Home.
You can sign Mrs. Bernice's guestbook at www.stephenson-Dearman.com.
