Bernice Nelson

Bernice Pitts Nelson, 78, of Chattanooga, passed away on Thursday, April 5, 2012, in a local hospital.She was preceded in death by her parents, Curtis and Willie Mae Pitts. A lifelong resident of Chattanooga, Bernice attended Chattanooga public schools. After graduating from Mckenzie Business College, she was employed by The Chattanooga Medicine Co. (now known as Chattem, Inc.) for several years and Dee Oil Co. and retired form Owenby Sheet Metal Co. Bernice was an active member of Daughters of the American Revolution/Moccasin Bend Chapter, Chattanooga Chapter Regent for Daughters of American Colonists, Prudhomme Fort Chapter Treasurer for Colonial Dames XVII Century Society, State Custodian for Daughters of Colonial Wars, and Tennessee State Secretary for the Continental Society Daughters of Indian Wars. Bernice was also a member of First-Centenary Methodist Church.She is survived by her loving husband of 15 years, David Nelson; sister, Helen Gladden Duncan, Cohutta, Ga.; sister, Gail Harvey and husband, Ronnie, of Chattanooga; brother, William James Pitts and wife Donna, of Fort Myers, Fla.; brother, Derrill Pitts and wife, Judy, of Chattanooga; stepson, Gene Nelson and wife Mary of Knoxville and two nephews and their families.The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. today, at the Chattanooga Funeral Home on South Moore Road, East Ridge.Services for Bernice will be held 11:30 a.m. Tuesday April 9 at the East chapel of the Chattanooga Funeral Home on Moore Road with the Dr. Dwight Kilborne and Dr. David Harr officiating. Honorary pallbearers members of the many organizations of which she was a member.Interment will follow the services at Hamilton Memorial Gardens.Memorial donations may be made to the Charity of your choice.Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chatanooageastchapel.com.