"I know that when this earthly house is decayed, I have another building not made by man, but eternal in heaven... God grants to every man two things: a birth and a life then He makes the final call."

Funeral services were held for Bernice McCoy Thomas, the stepmother of "Community Journal" Associate publisher Robert Thomas. Thomas was given the celestial discharge to move from labor to reward at her home on Thursday, July 19 at 3:30 p.m. under the sensitive and watchful eye of VITAS Home Hospice Care. She was 86. For a number of years she was a staffer for the newspaper.

Bernice Elaine McCoy was the lovely daughter of Mary McCoy Young and Aaron McCoy, born in Canton, Mississippi on September 16, 1920.

Bernice received her education entirely in Mississippi. Bernice attended Lanier High School in Jackson, Mississippi and graduated from Cameron St. High School in Canton. She also attended Tougaloo College for a year prior to moving to Milwaukee in the late 1930s.

Soon after arriving in Milwaukee, Bernice and William Marcellus Wohner, her former classmate in Canton, married and from this union, a lovely and devoted daughter was born, Beverly Wohner, who later became Beverly Njuguna, a musician, social worker and attorney.

In 1944 God united the former Bernice Wohner to J.C. Thomas who expanded the family with a wonderful son, Robert, who currently serves as associate publisher of the "Milwaukee Community Journal." To this union was born Anthony Thomas, a loving son and gift of this marriage.

Similar to many Blacks who migrated to Milwaukee from the south, Bernice sought and found employment. Although her first employment was with A.O. Smith, most of her subsequent employment was in the public sector. Bernice most enjoyed working at the 440th Airlift Wing at General Mitchell Field during the early ’50s. She held subsequent federal and city positions, ultimately retiring from the City of Milwaukee Housing Authority (College Court).

She worked many years at the Ebony Cue, a family business that became a popular recreation spot for young people in the North Division High School area.

After formal retirement, she enjoyed working at the Milwaukee Urban League as an aide in their Senior Employment Program and as a receptionist for the "Milwaukee Community Journal."

Bernice and J.C. Thomas enjoyed over 50 years of marriage, until his death in 1998. leaving three children, Beverly, Robert and Anthony Thomas; seven grandchildren--Joseph Mbugua (Tameki) Njuguna, Todd "Speech" (Yolanda) Thomas, Terrence Thomas (deceased), Lachanette "Aakofii" Tucker, Kianii Riggins and Kenyatta Riggins and their great-grandchildren to cherish her memory. Other extended family includes the Young’s of Rolling Fork and Anguilla, Mississippi.

Her quiet example of hard work, support and encouragement has been an inspiration to her children and others whose lives she has touched.

Bernice united with Calvary Baptist Church during the late 1940s and remained faithful and active throughout her life.

She was active as a member of the Pastor’s Aide Society during Reverend Battle’s tenure and was, thereafter, a consistently supportive friend of Mrs. Battle during her lifetime. Bernice was an active member of the usher board during the 1950s, and has been an ongoing member of the American Baptist Women’s Ministry.

Through ABW, she served in various official capacities in the Juanita T. Bell Circle. She has fellowshipped with the Golden Heirs, Calvary’s Older Adult Ministry. Over the years she has served wherever she was needed.

Her life has demonstrated gifts of the heart and spirit: love, kindness, encouragement, understanding and faith.

Her love for the community led to strong and purposive civic involvement. She was among the charter members, along with her husband, J.C. Thomas, of the Y’s Men and the Y’s Menettes Clubs of the Northside YMCA She spent countless hours supporting the success of the Ebony Fashion Fair, which the group initially brought to Milwaukee.
The Fashion Fair proceeds have provided hundreds of children with YMCA camp scholarships.

She was also a founding member of the Cantonian Club of Chicago in June 1978, which was formed to increase the socialization opportunities for people from Canton, Mississippi by forming a club and having an annual reunion.

Currently approaching 29 years of age, the Cantonian’s have grown to five chapters in Canton, Mississippi; Detroit, Michigan; St. Louis, Missouri; Cleveland, Ohio, and the founding Chicago, Illinois Chapter.

During its existence, the Chicago Chapter has met annually in September at Bernice Thomas’ home.

In life, she was a devoted mother, loving neighbor and community advocate. She leaves a legacy of faith, hope and love epitomized in her favorite hymn as a testimony for her family to follow:

Abide with Me

God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God.--I John 4:15

1. Abide with me; fast falls the eventide; The darkness deepens, Lord, with me abide;
When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,
Help of the Helpless, O abide with me.

2. Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day; Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O thou who changest not, abide with me.

3. I need thy presence ev-'ry passing hour; What but thy grace and foil the tempter’s pow’r? Who like thyself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me.

4. I fear no foe, with thee at hand to bless; Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness: Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still if thou abide with me.

5. Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes, Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies: Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life and death, O Lord, abide with me.
--Henry F. Lyte, 1793-1847

The call came and with this faith she knew all was well.