Bernice Mae Bemis

Memorial services for Bernice Mae Bemis, 86, of Gilmer, will be held on Thursday, May 29, 2014, at 10 A.M. in the Adult V Sunday School Department of First Baptist Church in Gilmer with Larry W. Osborne officiating. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Grubbs- Loyd Funeral Home in Gilmer. Born on August 8, 1927, Mrs. Bemis, a pastor's wife and homemaker, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, May 27, 2014. Throughout the years she served alongside her husband of 67 years, Reverend Jesse Bemis, cleaning the church buildings to leading the music when the church was without a music director. She was also hostess for all the special meals and programs, driver of the church VW that brought people to the church services, and a faithful Sunday School teacher for various ages. She even manicured the church grounds, if needed. After a brief hospital stay, she was sent to a nursing home with dementia and Alzheimer's. She lost her ability to walk, to talk, and to recognize her children. Pastor Bemis missed one day going to assist her in eating her dinner and when he mentioned that to her she said, "I know," the only one of three times that she spoke in the last year. She is survived by her loving husdband, Pastor Jesse Bemis of Gilmer; son, Jesse R. Bemis of Frize, Virginia; three daughters, Diana Bartram of Palacios, Virginia; Sandra Wilson of Gilmer; Sharon Mabe of St. Paul, Virginia; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren; and one sister, Gloria Westfall of Phoenix, Arizona. She will be sorely missed by all those who had the privilege of touching shoulders with her. No visitation is scheduled. Online condolences can be left at www.grubbsloydfhgilmer.com