Bernice Upthegrove

Bernice Upthegrove, 87, of Lima passed away Friday, March 5, 2021.

Bernice was born on May 27, 1933, in Lima, Ohio to the late Willie and Maude (Jones) Woodley.  She married Julius Alfred Upthegrove on November 4, 1950, and he preceded her in death on November 14, 1988. Bernice is survived by her loving children: Wendell Upthegrove, DeWayne Upthegrove, Michael (Delores) Upthegrove, Judy (Lindsey) Sanders, Janelle Wilson, Joan Garcia, Jennifer (Bennie Jr.) Williams; 14 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren and siblings: Willis Woodley, Ruth Ann Ward, Stella Clark, and Barbara Stewart; special brother-in-law: David (Caroline) Upthegrove. She was preceded in death by her children: Ronda Dee and Wanda Lee Upthegrove and her siblings: Dorothy Smith, Haskell Woodley, Donald Woodley, Norman Woodley, Clifford Woodley, and Jesse Woodley; brother-in-law: Franklin (Jean) Upthegrove. Leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews. 

Bernice was a graduate of South High School in Lima, Ohio. Bernice accepted Christ at an early age by Reverend Lee C. McGee, former pastor of the Fourth Street Missionary Baptist Church where she was a member. She recently was a member of the Second Baptist Missionary Church in Lima. Bernice was a Histology Technician at St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima and was also the Director of Daycare at Cheryl Allen Community Center formerly the Mizpah Community Center in Lima. She was also a Director of the teen pregnancy outreach program YWCA in Lima and worked as a private Home Health Aide and a private caterer. Bernice was also a member of the Lioness Club and was an amazing cook, she loved having her family and friends over for a good home-cooked meal. She also enjoyed playing the piano.

Visitation will be on Friday, March 12, 2021, from 10:00 AM until the time of her Celebration of Life Service at Noon in the Hanneman-Siferd Funeral Home, 506 N. Cable Rd Lima, Ohio 45805, Pastor Dennis Ward, officiating. Interment will follow in the Woodlawn Cemetery. Due to COVID, Bernice's services will be live-streamed on the Hanneman-Siferd Funeral Home Facebook page.

Because of Covid-19, repass dinner will follow after services to close family and friends at the Hanneman-Siferd Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be gifted in Bernice’s honor to West Ohio Food Bank, 1380 E. Kibby St, Lima, Ohio 45805, our Daily Bread, 125 Central Ave, Lima, Ohio 45801.

Online condolences, as well as a fond memory, may be shared with Bernice’s family by visiting www.hannemanfuneralhomes.com
 

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