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Bernice L. "Mama B" Gay
Service Date:September 3rd, 2011

Bernice L. Gay Bloomington- Bernice L. “Mama B” Gay, 84, received her call to Glory at 10 P.M. on Saturday, August 27, at OSF St. Joseph Hospital. Her homegoing service will be at 11 AM Saturday, September 3, 2011 at Union Missionary Baptist Church, Bloomington with Rev. Dr. Phenues Bush officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, Bloomington. Visitation will be Friday, September 2, 2011 from 5-7 PM at Kibler-Smith Memorial Home, and one hour before the service Saturday at the church. Mama B was born January 4, 1927 in Frenchman Bayou, AR to the late Carrie “Nanny” Blair and James “Price” Love. She married Henry Gay, Sr. on October 29, 1951. Cherishing beautiful memories of Mama B for the rest of our lives are her loving husband of 59 ½ years, Henry Gay Sr. of Bloomington; four daughters: Georgia M Brooks, Linda (Robert) Wesley, Kathy (Clarence) Wilson, and Peggy Gay; two sons, Henry (Beverly) Gay Jr., and Steven (Daphne) Gay, all of Bloomington; seven grandchildren: Cheleta Wesley, Bloomington, IL; Tonisha Alexander and Kendra Gay, Chicago, IL; Clarissa Wilson, Dallas, TX and Cherelle Gay, Erik Wilson, Steven Gay II, all of Bloomington; three great grandchildren: Cashari Ellerbe, Koran Moody, and Kyryn Moody, all of Chicago, IL; one sister, Cora King, Ft. Wayne, IN; two brothers, Joe (Marion) Love of Chicago, IL and Ted Love of CA; one Goddaughter, Rebecca Long Johnson, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, adopted sons and daughters, church family and friends. Her parents, one sister, JoAnn Phillips, and two brothers, Charles Love and Morris Williams, preceded Mama B in death. Mama B was baptized at an early age and united with Union Missionary Baptist Church in 1945 when she moved to Bloomington. She was a Sunday School teacher, member of the Senior Choir, Deacon Wives/Deaconess Ministry, Mothers Ministry, Lily of the Valley, which was part of the Mission Dept, and the Progressive Club. She was instrumental in the organization of the church pantry at Union. Mama B was a faithful member of Union Missionary Baptist Church until her health started failing. Mama B will be remembered for her baking and cooking skills. She will also be remembered for her sweet, gentle kind spirit and her infectious smile. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Union Missionary Baptist Church. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kiblersmith.com.
  • From:  Alona Kirksey

    Georgia and family, the Lord reached down and picked a beautiful flower for is garden, and she certainly was a beautiful person, and loving friend to our family. God bless and keep you all at this time.

  • From:  Cathy 'Price' Klump

    Peggy Gay & Family, I am so sorry for your loss. May the Lord comfort you in the days ahead. You are all in my prayers! Glad "Mama B" is not suffering any longer. Praise the Lord for her ULTIMATE HEALING! Hugs to all of you!

  • From:  Alona Kirksey

    Georgia and family, the Lord reached down and picked a beautiful flower for his garden, and she certainly was a beautiful person, and loving friend to our family. God bless and keep you all at this time.

  • From:  VIckie Miller-Wheeler

    Your whole family has my sincere condolences. May the love of God surround you during this time of sorrow you're in our thoughts and prayers. To Henry Sr. Georgia, Linda, Henry Jr., Kathy, Peggy, Stevie may God give each and every one of you strength and comfort. God bless you Bernice for you are sitting beside our lord and savior. Smile down upon us, as we love and reminisce you. Love you all Vickie Miller-Wheeler

  • From:  Marcia L. Allen- Indiana

    Georgia and Family,I pray you will find assurance in his Word,peace in his presence,and comfort in his love.Your mom was a wonderful person with a beautiful smile.Always had a kind word. I will always have Loving thoughts of her.May God bless and strenght you,during this sad time.

  • From:  Vanessa Rice

    To Linda and the entire Gay family, Look to the hills,from whence cometh your help, and know the Lord will see you through this difficult time in your life.

  • From:  Shirley Boykin

    To the Family, What a blessed woman of GOD Mama B was. She always had a smile on her face and a kind word for so many people. She could cook up a storm and I loved everything about her. To brother Gay you have helped so many people in their time of sorrow and if you need anything I am here. To the family remember Mama B is not suffering anymore and she is in glory with our lord and savior. My prayers are with you all. Shirley Boykin

  • From:  Myrna Spealman

    Beverly; so sorry to hear about the passing of your Mother-in-Law.

  • From:  Kandice Schneider

    With deepest sympathy. My prayers are with your family.

  • From:  Diane Medcalf Brown

    Stevie and Peggy My deepest sympathy are with you and your family during this time. I wanted you to know I was thinking about you both. I know what it’s like to lose a parent and our prayers are with your family at this time. May your memories of your mother give you a measure of peace during this difficult time. Sincerely Diane (Medcalf) Brown.

  • From:  Kathy & Steve Saad

    Peggy and family, our sincere sympathies go out to your family at this time. I know this will be a difficult adjustment for your family but she is upstairs watching down on everybody now and helping God with whatever he needs such a wonderful woman to do. Didn't know "Mama B" personally but she has a very thoughtful family. Take care of each other thru this adjustment in your lives.

  • From:  jack gooding

    I wish to extend my sympathy to the family of Mrs. Gay. I didn't know Mrs.. Gay but i worked with Henry Jr.at Illinois Power before i retired 18/yrs. ago.

  • From:  Bryan Hanner

    To the Gay family: Our most sincere condolences to you all during this difficult time. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. The Hanner family.

  • From:  Sue Kirk

    Georgia, Steven and family, my deepest condolences to you. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. God bless you.

  • From:  Anita Sherrer

    Thoughts and prayers are with each of you, the family of Mrs. Bernice Gay. May God give you comfort and peace as you celebrate her life and legacy. She had an infectious smile a warm heart, a truly genuine spirit that touched the lives of those she met. I will forever be grateful for the friendship shared with the Gay family. May God bless and keep her memories alive in the hearts of all her family and friends.

  • From:  Ruth Howard and Family

    To Linda, I'm sorry to hear of the lost of your mother. Our pray's go out to everyone in the family. God said, "You have been a good servent, its time to come home". Psalm 25:1 UNTO thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

  • From:  Diane Taylor

    To The Gay Family, I'm praying for you, may God keep you during this most difficult time. Although Bernice has gone over to the other side to be with the Lord, we all have fun, sweet memories of her and they shall stay with us forever, remember them when you feel a little sad, she's just a thought away. God Bless. Love Your Cousin, Diane Taylor (Milwaukee, WI)

  • From:  Nancy

    To the ladies and their families that we met in the waiting room on the first floor at St. Joseph Medical Center.....May your memories of joy and love bring you peace during this difficult time. Our prayers are with you. The lady with the silver necklace.

  • From:  Oscar & Frances Witherspoon

    To the Gay family may God give you comfort,and strength during this difficult time.Our prayers are with you.

  • From:  Louise NIcholas

    To all the members of the family, I send my condolences for such a wonderful lady. I remember her when I was teaching at Emerson School, and how devoted she was to her children and the school. I don't think she missed a PTA meeting there. God has picked her to join Him, and he'll give you stength to face the future without her. She'll never be far from you. She'll always be in your thoughts, and memories. May God Bless all of you.

  • From: Diana Barber
    Location:Racine, Wisconsin

    I was very heart broken to learn of Mrs. Gay's passing. She was indeed a sweet lady. I worked with her at Montgomery Wards back in the day, while I attended ISU. I was a native of Peoria at that time, and she was gracious enough to introduce me to her family. May the Lord give you and your family peace Henry Jr.

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