Bernice (Bryson) Davis
Sep 18, 1931 - Dec 7, 2013
Posted by: Jo Aguirre

http://www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com

Services for Bernice (Bryson) Davis, 82, will be held 2:00 p.m., Friday, December 13, 2013 at the Havenbrook Funeral Home Chapel, 3401 Havenbrook Street, Norman, Oklahoma with interment following at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery in Norman. A visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, December 12, 2013.

Bernice, our dear, precious mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and cherished friend to so many, left her frail body to dwell in the presence of Jesus Christ, December 7, 2013. She died peacefully at home with family at her bedside.
Bernice was born September 18, 1931 at home, in Oney, Oklahoma to William Newton Bryson, and Beulah Wynn (McKee) Bryson, one of seven children. She grew up in Oney, graduating valedictorian in 1948 from Oney High School. Standing a graceful 5 feet, 8 inches tall, she was a star basketball player. She always looked forward with great anticipation to her high school class reunions. She attended her last one, April of 2012.
Bernice was blessed with so many talents. She was promoted to executive secretary to Postmaster Myrtle Autry, Norman, where she worked for many years. She then worked for the Aeromedical Certification Division of FAA in Oklahoma City, where she worked until such time as she became a fulltime homemaker.

Bernice was an extraordinary talented seamstress. She loved sewing for her daughters, often staying up all night to lovingly finish a new dress for them to wear to school the next day. One Christmas she made red and white candy striped nightgowns and pajamas with matching night caps for all her little nieces and nephews. Doing for others brought her such joy.
She loved gardening and cooking, winning many blue ribbons from her entries in Cleveland County fairs. Bernice was a true believer in the old adage, “A Penny Earned is a Penny Saved”. She was charmingly frugal, shopping in thrift stores for bargains and clipping daily grocery coupons. Hardly the shopping practices of the wife of an MD. She was so precious, never wanting to waste anything. She was charitable to a fault, donating yearly to many organizations such as the VFW, Wildlife Federation, American Cancer Society and Alzheimer Association, to name a few.

Bernice had a kind and pure heart, and compassion for others as big as the world. Her dear friend Moses Glidden who now resides in Arizona with his beautiful wife and three amazing talented children, attributes Bernice and Audie to saving his life. She and Audie took him in when he was down and out, and in dire need of help, 30 plus years ago. Bernice fed him, prayed with him, and gave him odd jobs to earn a little money. Bernice nurtured him in her loving and gracious way, helping give him the strength he needed to get his life on track. She welcomed Moses into her family, even taking him to their Thanksgiving dinners in Fort Cobb. Moses ultimately graduated from college, met his wife and remained one of Bernice’s strongest Christian friends throughout her life.

The little girl from Oney, Oklahoma grew up to travel the world with her husband. She loved their travels, making lifelong friends in numerous countries, who remained in touch with her to the end. She always said her favorite places were Israel and the Holy Lands, and South Korea. The Great Wall of China and Budapest also topped the list of favorites.
Most importantly, Bernice was a strong Christian woman, always true to her relationship with Jesus Christ, and an active member of First Baptist Church of Norman, most of her adult life, until she became too frail to venture out of the house. Her favorite scripture was John 3: 16, which she taught her daughter Cheri Lynne to recite at the age of 3.

Bernice is preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Audie W. Davis; her parents; three brothers, Wallace, Andrew and Dale Bryson; and sister and brother-in-law, Jessie and Kenneth Repp.

She leaves a loving legacy of a daughter and son-in-law, Cheri Lynne and Tommy Johnson, son, Bryson Davis, and daughter and son-in-law, Kristi and Roscoe Conklin. As well, she is survived by six grandchildren and their spouses, Greg and Stephanie Brooksher, Kellie and Paul Hopkins, Camrunn and Heather Curley, Alexander, Coral and Cassia Curley. To her joy and delight, Bernice was further blessed with ten great grandchildren, Cooper, Carson and Foster Hopkins, Brad and Tyler Brooksher, Hemi, Kevin, Zephania, Zadie and Rosalee Curley. As well, Bernice leaves behind her two cherished and beautiful sisters and handsome brother-in-law, Grace McCloskey and Allece and Preston Hawkins, along with many nieces, nephews and friends.

Bernice’s family would like to thank Dr. John Krodel and his nurse, Liz Boyd for their years of care and compassion toward Bernice. Thank you also to McCortney Family Hospice for beautifully helping Bernice and her family through the past three months. A special thank you goes to Tamara Wadkins for her six years of gently and lovingly aiding Bernice.
Bernice was a graceful, gentle soul who will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to know her.