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Whether called Mama, Mom, Bunny, Bern, or Niecie, all who knew and loved Bernice Elizabeth Chapman Mitchell, age 91, were most aware that in her path of life, God always ordered her steps. This loving, devoted to family, caring, sharing, kind woman knew and consistently demonstrated that she was a blessed child of God.  She lived the life He ordered her to live from birth until the morning of June 3, 2021.  This was the day she peacefully and gracefully met God while she slumbered, and joined her beloved husband, Kenneth; her parents, Alexander & Elizabeth Chapman; siblings: Rudolph, Lawrence, James, Earnly, Gertrude Jones and Alice Arnette, and other loved ones in Heaven.

Born in Cismont, Virginia, on February 28, 1930, Bernice was the eldest daughter of the eight children of Alexander and Elizabeth Dickerson Chapman.  At the age of 10, she was baptized in Mill Creek and joined Zion Hill Baptist Church in Keswick, Virginia.  Before joining Zion Hill she regularly attended St. John Baptist Church in Cobham, Virginia. She often fondly recalled her grandmother, Mary Cross Chapman, walking with her hand in hand to worship with Grace Episcopal Church, where they sat in the balcony due to segregation.  At Zion Hill she became a faithful servant of God and continued as a lifelong, active member for over eight decades until the day of her passing.  In addition to serving for many years as President of both the Senior Choir and the Missionary Ministries, she began her earliest service as Assistant to the Superintendent of the Sunday School with her final days serving as a Deacon.

From the beginning of her early years until her passing, Bernice was well known as a public speaker, believed in and supported her church, sister churches in the Piedmont District Baptist Association, community organizations and other Christian, social, civic and educational causes.  Her strong educational foundation began at St. John Elementary School in Cobham, Virginia, and under the devout mentorship of her beloved high school principal, Mrs. Mary Carr Greer, she boldly and courageously first took to the podium and began public speaking.  She was an active and involved student of Albemarle Training School, and spoke at her graduation in 1948.  As if God ordained it, high school was where she first met her future husband.

On October 23, 1954, at the age of 24, Bernice Elizabeth Chapman married her high school sweetheart and the "forever" love of her life, Kenneth Brown Mitchell. The couple was the epitome of "true love forever." All who knew or met them admired the continuous love they showed to each other. Until his death on May 1, 2019, they had been married for 64 years.  Upon his passing she spoke of him often and continued to cherish his memory.  Those who knew the devoted couple understand why at this moment and for eternity, she is happy to be "reunited" with her husband, her love, her life.  From their union, two daughters, Colette Cora and Carolyn Elizabeth, were born.  In 1958, Kenneth designed and built their home in Keswick, Virginia and they raised their daughters on the same property where Kenneth was born and where both took their last breaths.

Bernice held membership in several religious, civic, educational, and social organizations.  She was very active in The Piedmont District Baptist Association (PDBA) serving as a past president of its Women's Auxiliary; the PDBA Ministers, Deacons and Layman's Union of Central Virginia; as well as a member of the Deacon and Deaconess Council and member of the Virginia Baptist State Convention. Her civic involvement included membership and past president of The Women's Auxiliary of the East Rivanna Fire Department; past Worthy Matron of the Monticello Chapter No. 43, Order of Eastern Star, Prince Hall Affiliate and a volunteer provider of meals for workers of Habitat for Humanity. While her daughters attended Stone Robinson Elementary School in Shadwell, Virginia she held offices in the school's PTA. She was a committee member of the St. John Family Life & Fitness Center (This site is the historical preservation of her beloved St. John Elementary School). Even with all of her religious and community commitments, Bernice still found time for social organizations. She was a queen of the King of Klubs and a Duchess of The Red Hat Ladies of DeVille.

Whether as a couple or as a family, Bernice, Kenneth & their girls traveled together extensively. As a couple they took cruises to the U.S. Virgin Islands, Cancun and Bermuda. When the girls were young, every summer the four of them loaded up their camper and visited historical sites throughout Virginia and surrounding states. After their daughters became adults, the family took a European tour that included Germany, Luxembourg, Heidelberg, Paris, Bavaria, and Austria.  One of the highlights of Bernice's vast travels was visiting the beautiful and historical Notre Dame Cathedral where she lit a ceremonial candle in memory of her grandmother, Mary Chapman, who passed at 106 years of age.

While traveling was enjoyable, Bernice's true joys were her family, cooking, and caring for others. Throughout her life she could be seen at any time delivering a covered dish that often included her "healing stew" to heal a cold or soothe a soul.  The importance of family was always emphasized and stressed with her daughters.  She was absolutely overjoyed when both daughters returned and settled on the family residential property after completing their education, experiencing life, getting married and having their own children. Colette, the eldest, and her husband Cecil built a home within a stone's throw of her parents. The youngest daughter, Carolyn and her husband Mike, remodeled and moved into the same home, where Kenneth was born and raised. To Bernice's delight, her grandchildren enjoyed the "family village" where they were able to easily run the paths to Grandma and Grandpa's home.

Bernice Elizabeth Chapman Mitchell was like a tree planted by the water, rooted in love and service to her Lord and Master.  She was a dependable servant of God, dedicating her service to church, family and community.  She touched lives everyday with her vibrant energy and endless endurance to fervently complete each task she undertook, realizing her strength came from God, the head of her life and family. She leaves to cherish her memory:  two daughters and sons-in-law, Colette and Cecil Thompson and Carolyn and Michael Dillard; four grandchildren: Ryan Thompson, Kimberly (Le'Tron) Hall, Alexandra and Kenneth Dillard; one sister: Alberta Mahanes; two godchildren: Kenneice Brown and Ramona Chapman; her lifelong friend, Ms. Frances Connie Dulaney, many nieces, nephews, and cousins as well as a host of other relatives and friends. The family is especially grateful for the professional, compassionate and loving caregiving provided by Mrs. Kimberly Gaines and care by Mrs. Cynthia Smith-Steppe.

There will be a walk thru viewing at the funeral home, Friday, June 11, 2021, 4 pm ; Family and Friends Night 6 to 8 pm ; Homegoing Service  at the funeral home, Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 11 a.m . with Rev Kelvin Hawkins, officiant, Rev Carolyn Dillard, Eulogist.  On the morning of the service, there will be additional viewing from 10 am to start of the service; interment to follow at Zion Hill Baptist Church, 802 Zion Hill Road, Keswick, VA 22947.