Bernice Benn Maloney

Bernice Benn MaloneyBernice Benn Smith-Maloney departed this life on March 11, 2015. She was the youngest daughter of the late Mack, Sr. and Mamie Scott Benn of Suffolk and Southampton Co. Virginia. Born in Southampton Co., she grew-up in Suffolk as the youngest girl and the next to last of seven children. Bernice attended and completed her early education in Suffolk and she was the Valedictorian of the East Suffolk High School, Class of 1942. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia State College (University) Ettrick, Va. in June 1946. Bernice received the Master of Science degree in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Indiana at Bloomington, Bloomington, Indiana in 1964.Bernice taught and served with the Suffolk Public School System for more than 40 plus years, retiring as a Middle School Guidance Counselor at Southwestern Middle School in 1985.She was formerly a member of St. Timothy Independent Methodist Church where she served as Youth Director, Sunday School Teacher, and church clerk for many years. In the early 1980’s she joined her siblings at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Suffolk where she was a member until her recent passing. At St. Mark’s she served as Financial Secretary of the Episcopal Church Women (ECW), Church School secretary/treasurer, treasurer of 4th Convocation of Episcopal Church Women and served faithfully on the Vestry. Bernice was a Charter Member of the “Deeces” Pinochle Social Club and a member of the Imperial Crescent Club, Suffolk. Bernice served as Chairperson of the Miss. Christmas Seal Contest for the American Cancer Society, Suffolk, for a number of years. Additionally, she was a member of the Suffolk Retired Teachers Association, the State Teacher’s Association, the National Teacher’s Association and a Heritage member of the East Suffolk High School Alumni Association.Bernice was predeceased by four brothers, Herman T., Wesley Sr., Winfred and Mack Jr., and one sister Wanetah. Bernice is survived by her son, Edward U. “Pete” Smith, Jr.; one sister, Mrs. Dorothy B. Armistead both of Suffolk; one Grandchild, Michele R. Daniels and Great-grandchild, Mya of Richmond, VA; step-daughter, Clarissa Maloney of Oklahoma City, OK and two sisters-in-law, Marian (Herman), of Suffolk and Elaine B. Benn (Mack Jr.) of Sun-City, Arizona; seven nieces and nephews, numerous great nieces and nephews; special caregiver, Gloria Johnson; and family members and friends.A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at St. James Episcopal Church, 928 Effingham Street, Portsmouth, Virginia. officiated by Rev. Canon Frederick WalkerI. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.crockerfuneralhome.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Bernice Benn Maloney, please visit our flower store.