FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS:

VIEWING: Friday, April 23, 2021 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, 1101 West Ave A, Belle Glade, FL 33430

SERVICE: Saturday, April 24, 2021 2:00 p.m. New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, 1101 West Ave A, Belle Glade, FL 33430

INTERMENT: Saturday, April 24, 2021 Foreverglades Cemetery, 1500 Gator Blvd, Belle Glade, FL 33430

On Friday, April 9, 2021 at 3:51pm Berneatha T. Barnett departed this earth at Palms West Hospital to take her rest. Berneatha spent most of her years in Belle Glade, Fl. and later resided in West Palm Beach, Fl. She is free from pain, free from sickness, free of medicine and free of doctor visits. Rest on, Bernice, rest on. Berneatha was born on May 20, 1950 in Bladenboro, NC to the late Lena Mae Smith-Thompson and Clarence Lewis. She was raised by her late grandparents, Rebecca Grant-Thompson and William Bill Thompson of Bladenboro, NC. Berneatha attended and graduated from Spaulding-Monroe High School in Bladenboro, NC. Berneatha later obtained her certification and license in Culinary Arts and Cosmetology and with her skills and knowledge taught it to students at West Technical Education Center. Berneatha loved spending time with family and friends and enjoyed cooking at family gatherings. She also loved listening to music, dancing, and shopping. Some of her favorite hobbies were playing Bingo, Pokeno, Spades, Tunk, and volleyball and let’s not forget playing rummy with her late departed friend, Virginia “Ma Jenny” Brown. As a matter of fact, her last volleyball game was last month on March 13th. She was a server and a great one at that, beating her opponents with every serve (Imagine that, a 70-year-old still playing volleyball). Berneatha was a friend to many and grandma to every young person she encountered. She was “Miss B” to some, “Queen B” and “Bern” to others. She would give her last; she would give the shirt off her back and she would always offer a hot plate of food. “I mean who didn’t love her cooking?” She exemplified the spirit of hospitality and made many sacrifices to help others. Whatever someone needed, if she had it, she would give it, I if she didn’t have it. Berneatha is survived by her daughter Regina Thompson, son Frank Richberg Jr. and special niece Yulonda Fountain. Her grandchildren Katurah Jones, Latoya Thompson, Christopher Morgan, Denzel Morgan, Lo’veshia Morgan, Lovell Morgan, Renisha Smith, Frank Giovanni Richberg and Frank Richberg III. Her great-grandchildren, J’aliyah Jenkins, Ashanti Finney, Jada Milton, Kylah Willingham, Zarrah Cromartie, Jayden Milton, Kamari Morgan, Ka’lani Felix and Makari Edwards. Berneatha is also survived by her siblings Shirley Albany (Ophnie Wright) (Fl), Thelma Purdie (Mitchell Purdie) (NC), Patricia A. Lacey (NC), Mamie L. Hargrove (NC), Jeanette D. White (Washington D.C.), Edward E. Smith (Johnnie Mae Smith) (FL) and Charles Lacey (NC). A host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives, friends and three best friends Barbara Stovall, Venett Harden and Emma Chatman and special friend Ernest Cameron. Berneatha was preceded in death by her sisters Rosa L. Thompson (NY) and Rachel A. Smith (FL) and brother Terry Lacey (NC).