Bernice Cherry, also known as “Cherry,” was born on Dec. 29, 1913, in Chicago. She was the younger of two children born to Pattie Frye Saulsbury and Charles Kennedy Saulsbury.
After her mother’s death, she and her sister, Mary Lou, relocated to Evanston, where they were rasied by their mother’s brother, Deacon Frye of Second Baptist Chruch, and his wife, Deaconess Suella Frye.
She graduated from Haven School in Evanston and Lincoln Ridge Institute in Kentucky. She was united in marriage to Warren Cherry in June, 1941. From this union they had two children, a son, Warren “Billy” and a daughter, Patty. Bernice Cherry joined Second Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Reverend I.A. Thomas. She enjoyed the fellowship of Second Baptist, where she developed long-lasting friendships and participated in all the activities and events.
One annual event was the Holiday Bazaar and Bake Sale; in some years,
her delicious homemade rolls were
sold out in advance.
After being a member of the church for many years, she was encouraged by her sister to join the Ladies Auxiliary, where she served as President.
She was a homemaker, and her first priority was family. She was devoted to her children; they were her pride and joy. She and her husband, Warren, were founding members of the Hartrey Avenue Block Club, which was her home for 60 years. And she was a good neighbor to all.
Bernice Cherry was preceded in death by her husband, Warren, her son, Warren (“Billy”) and her sister, Mary Lou Sain. She leaves behind, to celebrate her life, daughter Patty (Robert) Reece; three grandchildren: Lynn Hammell, Michael (Melissa) Cherry and Susan (Devin) Daniel; two great-grandchildren: Courtney (Jeremy) Wolley and Gavin Daniel; a cousin, John Frye; and many wonderful friends, including special friends Tina and Ron Dukes.
Ms. Cherry passed away on Dec. 8.