Sister Bernice Jones was born January 6, 1934 in Forrest City, Arkansas to the late Rev. Alvin Watson and the late Sis. Archie Lee Cayton Watson.

She confessed a hope in Christ in the year of 1945 at Pilgrim M.B. Church under the leadership of Rev. A. Hopper. She later joined the Paradise No. II Church in Rondo, Arkansas under the leadership of Rev. J.H. Hinkle.

She later moved to Aubrey, Arkansas in the year of 1953 and united with the Hampshire M.B. Church under the leadership of Rev. J.P. Toney.

She remained a member of Hampshire under several pastors and the current pastor, Rev. Roosevelt Woodfolk.

Ms. Bernice "Hicks" as she was known for many years was a Sunday School teacher and youth director. The church clerk for countless years! She also became the president of the Mission Society at Hampshire and united others from surrounding churches to join them every Thursday at noon.

The mission grew and they even continued to have mission meetings on the phone during the pandemic. There is so much more that we could say about our mother's service to her church and the community, but we will let the life she lived speak for her!

She graduated from Robert R. Moton High School in 1952. In 1963 she completed a course in Typing and Shorthand. She began working in the Marianna School System in 1965. She worked for 30 years until her retirement.

In 1990 after raising her 5 children, God blessed Ms. Bernice Hicks to meet Mr. Eddie Jones, Sr. and they married in 1991. Her husband, Eddie Jones and her three sons , Theodis (Buster) Hicks, John Hicks and Van Hicks proceeded her in death.

She leaves to cherish her memory two loving daughters, Linda Hicks of Huntsville, AL and Suzette Michelle Hicks Ward of Little Rock, AR; one brother, Andrew Miller, Sr. of Chicago, IL; one sister, Dorothy Jean Berdin of Chicago, IL; eight grandchildren, Kunta, Stephanie, Kim (Henry), Selestria (Rick), Tatiana (John), Melvin, Jr. (Chasity), Jasmine (Lorenzo) and Jonathan; 11 great grandchildren, Ashleigh, Jada, Terran, Ariana, Jordin, Alahna, Parker, Corbin, Morgan, Jania and Addisyn; two special nephews that she helped raise, Andrew (Pam) Miller, Jr. and Alex (Mary) Miller and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.