Ms. Bernice C. Cheeks entered into eternal rest May 28,2022. Bernice Clowney Cheeks, daughter of the late Herbert Clowney and Venona Smith Clowney, was born December 4, 1931, in Union County, SC. She was at peace and rest in her home when she departed this life May 28, 2022, in Spartanburg, SC.

She graduated from Carver High School in 1950. After high school, she attended Benedict College, Columbia, South Carolina graduating with a Bachelors degree. While in college, she became a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. She later obtained a Masters degree in Library Sciences from Clarke Atlanta University, Atlanta, Georgia.

After graduating college, she began her teaching career in Allendale, South Carolina. She taught in Allendale for 11 years. Longing to return home to Spartanburg, Bernice jumped at the opportunity to serve as a librarian in the Spartanburg County school system where she served for over 20 years until her retirement.

Bernice was an incredible and classy lady. She was fiercely independent and the rock of her family. She served as a mother, father, counselor, and confidant for all her nieces and nephews as well as those closest to her. She was absolutely a loving force of nature and the center of gravity for her family. She was full of love, kindness, tenderness, mercy, and care to all.

She married the late Walter "Stack" Cheeks later in life and served as a loving wife, devoted stepmother, and loving step grandmother.

Bernice was a member of Thompson Street Baptist Church as a young child, and she later joined Mt. Moriah Baptist Church as a teenager. She remained a member until her death. She read her Bible, prayed for her family, and shared her faith and spiritual advice with her family.

Left to cherish in her memory are: sister, Veronica Johnson (Floyd); nephews, Joe Clowney (Patricia), Oren Clowney, Jr., Patrick Clowney (Erica), Floyd Johnson, Jr., Anthony Clowney, Marcus Clowney and Timothy Darden; nieces, Sheila Darden, Mary Darden, Vonzena Clowney, Cecily Clowney and Victoria Johnson. She also leaves behind Hurley Cheeks, Walter Cheeks, Jr. (Ann), Roberts S. Cheeks, James W. Cheeks, Anita Cheeks, and Moriah Simpson.

A Celebration of the Life of Bernice Clowney Cheeks will be held on June 4, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, 445 S. Church St., Spartanburg, SC. Burial will be in the Lincoln Memorial Gardens, 2256 Cannons Campground Rd., Drayton, SC.

J. W. Woodward Funeral Home