Ms. Bernice C. Thomas, daughter of the late, J.C. Chester, Sr. and Eunice Williams Chester, was born August 29, 1932 in Arlington, Georgia. She was blessed to enjoy life with fifteen siblings.

Ms. Thomas accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at the early age of nine and was baptized at Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church in
Arlington, Georgia.

In Ms. Thomas' early years, she loved to run, play cat ball, softball, basketball and let's not forget her passion for cooking—oh how she loved to cook! Ms. Thomas began her education at Hopewell Elementary, then Arlington Middle and later graduated from Arlington High School. In 1954, Ms. Thomas moved from Arlington to Albany, Georgia.

Shortly after arriving in Albany, Bernice met and united in marriage with Emory Thomas. Together their household was blessed with twelve loving children. Not only was Ms. Thomas the mother to those she birthed, she opened her home with a wondrous servant's heart and unselfish generosity to many seeking motherly love. There was always room at her dinner table for another plate and always space in her
home for a weary soul to find rest.

In 1965, Ms. Thomas began working at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in the Food Service Department where she utilized her passion for cooking. Ms. Thomas shared her warm and infectious smile with those fortunate enough to share in her "Angel on Earth's" space until she retired thirty-two years later.

On Monday, September 27, 2021, the Lord whispered, "Bernice, come home my child, it's time to rest. You have fought a good fight and you have kept the Faith, now it's your time to enter into the Master's everlasting joy." In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two children, Andrew Thomas and Thomas Molden; five siblings, J. C. Chester, Jr, Louella Moore, Jimmy Chester, Katie M. Chester and Joseph Chester; and two special nieces, Gaynell Davis and Eunice Mitchell.

She leaves to mourn and cherish many loving and unforgettable memories are her devoted children, Willie C. Chester, Nadine E. Molden, Eddie D. Molden, Willie E. Chester (Janice), Charles Thomas (JoAnn), Prophet Trilene Barber (Bishop Robert), Clifford Thomas, Cynthia Johnson, Andrea Davis (Major), Sabrina Winkfield (Larry); her bonus surrogate daughter, Barbara Jones; siblings, David Chester (China), Gladys McRoy (Johnny), Lillie Chester, Willie I. Chester, Raymond Chester (Marilyn), Jessie Pearl Johnson, Leroy Johnson, Josephine Johnson, Lauralee Johnson, and Charlie James; grandchildren: Wanda Blackshear, Antonio Green, Umeka Moore-Starling, Cauntae Timley, Armisha Griffin, Jarrell Chester, Timothy Molden, Mario Molden, Zsanobia Foster, Topeaka McPhee, Keith Hayes, Tyerngla Hayes, Shekethia Hayes, Curtisha Chester, Earnest Sibley, C. Jamaal Thomas, Joshua Thomas, Konterras Thomas, Zaybain Barber, Trinesha Whitehead, Trimonsha Barber, Trimesha Barber, Zandria Thomas, Clifford A. Thomas, Altravious Thomas, Quantarious Thomas, Cyntesa Thomas, Latesa Davis, Shamika Davis, Limajor Davis, Zervoskia Davis, Liltoby Bradley, Lakima Dukes, Bernethia N. Thomas, Rontresia Winkfield, Rontressa Scott, Larry Winkfield, Jr.; great-grandchildren, great great-grandchildren nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends all too numerous to name.