Bernice

Bernice BarlewBernice Yvonne Cunningham Barlew, 85, of Chattanooga, passed away Tuesday, May 7, 2013 in Elkhart, Ind.Cared for in recent years by her loving daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Roger Hill, Bernice had resided in Casa Grande, Ariz., and, at the time of her death, in Middlebury, Ind.Bernice loved her many flower gardens and shrubs, played the piano with verve and possessed a beautiful soprano voice. In earlier years she was a successful Tupperware representative and worked in sales for Loveman's department stores in Chattanooga. Her "Bernay's Gift Shop" was a fixture in Brainerd Hills for several years. A lifelong Baptist, she taught Sunday School for many years and was a member of Brainerd Hills Baptist Church. A quarter century ago she hosted a tea in her home that proved instrumental in the establishment of Bible Study Fellowship in Chattanooga.Bernice was married for 65 years to William E. "Bill" Barlew who went to be with his Lord in 2011. The daughter of the late Sanford A. and Cora Cunningham, Bernice was preceded in death by her eldest sister, Eileen Elrod; and beloved brothers, Sanford A. "Bud" Cunningham Jr., and Lawrence "Larry" Cunningham.One of eight children, Bernice is survived by sisters Leona Culpepper, Geneva Hughes, Elnora Beene and Margie Cheatham; her children, sons Michael (Virginia), David (Leticia) and Steve, all of Chattanooga; and daughter, Susan (Roger) Hill, of Middlebury, Ind.; grandsons Jeff, Jared, David, Jordan, John and Jonathan; granddaughters, Julie and Jennifer; great-granddaughters, Lindsay and Allison; and numerous nieces and nephews.Family and friends will gather for graveside services at 11:30 a.m. Monday, May 13, at Chattanooga National Cemetery. Nephew Gary Beene will share the eulogy. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the Kidney Foundation of Greater Chattanooga www.kidneyfoundation.com.Please visit www.heritagefh.com to share words of comfort with the family.The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, May 12, at Heritage Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 7454 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN37421.