Bernice Madden

Obituary For Bernice Madden

Bernice Madden 87, passed on Monday, June 9, 2025.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. EST on Monday, June 16, 2025 at Greater Ebenezar Baptist Church, Salem, AL with Rev. Adrian Frazier, officating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Public viewing is 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m EST on Saturday, June 14, 2025.

Bernice Cornelia Burton Madden was born on Tuesday, January 25, 1938 to Henderson and Emma Lou Heard Burton in West Point, Georgia.

During her early years, her parents and two of her siblings relocated to the Alabama side of the Chattahoochee River. Bernice, took great pride in becoming the first in her family to join the Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Beulah, AL (McCulloh community). She served and loved her church in full capacity. Growing up, she sang in the choir and served as an usher. Simply being in "good ole" church service; clapping her hands and tapping her feet demonstrated how she loved to praise God through worship. In 1956, Bernice took vows, and married her sweetheart, Merrell Clifford Madden.

Following this union, she became a member of the Greater Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, Salem, AL where she faithfully served in many capacities. She was a member of the Church Choir, Culinary Ministry, Nurse's Guild, Matron's Ministry and Vice-President of Deacon's Wives Ministry. In 2008, Bernice was involved in a horrific car accident which made it difficult for her to stand for long periods of time. But by God's grace and mercy, she never let that stop her from being a dedicated and faithful member of GEMBC. She was known to attend church service, give of her time and talents, and always light up the sanctuary with her beautiful smile.

On November 23, 2019 she was inducted into the Mother's Ministry at her beloved Ebenezer. Bernice was employed and retired from West Point Pepperrell Mill after over twenty-five years of faithful and dedicated service. Throughout her life, Bernice enjoyed reading, solving puzzles, and watching television. She certainly made her mark with the way she operated in the kitchen as well. She was well known for her delicious southern foods, and her masterful work when it came to a mixing bowl. Her moist, flavorful and delectable cakes, especially that caramel one, was a favorite of family, friends, and more.

On Monday, June 09, 2025, Bernice Cornelia Madden quietly transitioned into eternity.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Dea. Merrell C. Madden, parents, Henderson Burton and Emma Lou Heard Murphy; stepfather, W.C. Murphy; two brothers, George Wess Burton and Willie Clarence Burton; three sisters, Ruby Burton, Annie B. Burton, and Sarah Patterson, a grandson, Elijah Carlton Madden.

To cherish lifelong and precious memories of her will be: a strong and loving son, Dexter (Aundrea) Madden, Salem, AL. Three beautiful grandchildren, John Ethan Grant of Hurlburt Field, AFB, Florida, Olivia Simmone and Savannah Bernice of Salem, AL. Two sisters: Sandra Murphy, Beulah, AL, Harriet (Larry) Patton, Valley, AL.; three brothers, Earnest Murphy, Douglasville, GA, James Murphy, Sr., West Point, GA, Michael (Joyce) Murphy Sr. Valley, AL; sister-in-law, Clara Burton, Cusseta, AL.; brother-in-law, Johnny C. Patterson, Beulah, AL, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.