Bernice Grandy Houston was born on February 21, 1937 in Princeton, North Carolina to the late Ernest and Emma Carrol-Grandy.
Bernice was the ninth child and third daughter born in the union. At an early age Bernice joined and was baptized at St. Stephen’s Disciple Church in her home town. She received her formal education at the Johnston County Public Schools. She graduated from Richard B. Harrison High School (Class of 1955) in Selma, North Carolina. After graduating from high school she left Princeton, NC and relocated to Elizabeth, NJ where she started her career at Elizabeth General Hospital as a Unit Secretary and retired after many years of dedication and hard work. During that time, she married Henry Griffin and brought her daughter, Alicia, into the world, whom she cherished. Later on, Bernice re-married the love of her life (Jacob Houston). They were happily married for 49 years until Jacob joined God’s kingdom in 2017.
Bernice was known for wearing those clean white buck shoes early in her career. Bernice loved basketball, shopping and traveling.
She proudly followed her daughter, Alicia’s basketball career from elementary school through college and also developed a dedicated love for the NBA and was known to spend many late nights rooting on her favorite team the NY Knicks. Alicia and her mom would enjoy many great times together including many trips in Alicia’s early years and later in life daily phone calls to talk about basketball and laughs about everything wonderful in life. Alicia learned her strong work ethic from Mom’s example. Bernice traveled on many cruises and trips with Jake and close friends. After retiring, she joined the Roselle Active Senior Group where she continued to enjoy many trips and spending time with her peers.
Many of her favorite destinations included Englishtown Auction and other flea markets, a trip to the nation’s capital and touring many museums, monuments and the Arlington National Cemetery. She visited Niagara Falls, Canada, Tighman Island, MD, Myrtle Beach, SC, and Virginia Beach, VA.
When Bernice celebrated her 84th birthday last month, she felt blessed that God had allowed her to live longer than anyone in her immediate family thus far including her parents.
Preceding in her passing were sisters Patricia, Lauryne, Kay, Agnes and Carolyn and brothers Ernest, Albert and Horace.
She leaves to cherish in her memory, her beautiful daughter Alicia (Theresa Berlinski) of Carteret NJ, and her sisters Emma Jean of Newark NJ, Daisy Brown of Greenbelt, MD and Katie Blount, Upper Marlboro, MD, 14 nephews including her favorite nephew, Torrence, 8 nieces and a host of great nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends Ann and Dorothy.
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