TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Bernice Iley Roe, 93, died Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012 at the Hospice of West Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Visitation for Mrs. Roe will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Avondale Estates First Baptist Church Parlor, followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary, with interment at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens. The service will be conducted by the Rev. Mark Green, with Dr. Wayne Roe assisting in his mother’s funeral.

Bernice Iley Roe was born in Harrisburg, N.C. Apr. 25, 1919, where she grew up on a family farm that grew cotton, raised cattle, and enjoyed her two brothers and four sisters. Mrs. Roe was preceded in death by both of her brothers, William “Billy” Iley and Bryce Iley, as well as one sister, Mrs. Mildred Green, all of Harrisburg, N.C.  She was the daughter of the late Harry Bernard and Blanche Williams Iley and resided in Harrisburg until her graduation from Harrisburg High School where she then left to study business at East Carolina Teacher’s College. She met and was married to her husband of 53 years, William C. Roe, until his death in August of 1995.  

Bill and Bernice were devoted to Christ, each other, their children and church. They were active members of the Oakhurst Baptist Church until their move to Avondale where they joined Avondale Estates First Baptist Church. Bernice was an integral member of her church until her health would no longer allow her to attend her beloved Sunday School Class.  She was a member of the WMU and Golden Agers. She also loved making ceramics for gifts as well as serving others with a call of remembrance or a meal. She was a true servant.

Bernice was a devoted wife and mother as well as a homemaker.  When her children reached their teenage years, Bernice returned to working outside their home, being employed for many years by the DeKalb General Hospital in their Credit Union until her retirement.

Bernice always had a passion for serving others. She loved her Lord and desired to be a part of her church fellowship through worship and working with the church in any way she could. She loved trips to her family home every summer to gather vegetables and can them with her beloved sisters. She truly enjoyed being with other people and knew how to make her house a home where all felt welcome. She was a true Southern lady who embodied great character.

Bernice is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Wayne (Brenda) Randall of Tuscaloosa, Ala., her son and daughter-in-law, Drs. Wayne and Susan Roe, of Tifton; her three grandchildren, Kyle Randall of Crested Butte, Colo., Paige Randall of Nashville, Tenn., and Catherine Roe of Macon; a sister-in-law, Dr. Martha Iley of Harrisburg, N.C.; three sisters, Mrs. Leonard (Maxine) Matthews of Stoneville, N.C.,  Mrs. Noel (Alma) Morris, and Mrs. Boyce (Grace) Small, both of Concord, as well as numerous nieces and nephews who knew this beloved lady as Aunt Bee.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Bill Williams Sunday School class.

A.S. Turner and Sons of Decatur, Ga. is handling the arrangements, and memorials may be made to the Avondale Estates First Baptist Church, Hospice of West Alabama, or a charity of your choice.