Bernice P. Windham

Bernice Pickett Windham, 92, passed away peacefully with her daughter by her side on Monday, December 9, 2024, in Hattiesburg, MS. The family will receive friends on Saturday, December 21, 2024, from 9:30 AM until 10:45 AM at Homewood Church on Highway 35 South in the Homewood Community of Forest, MS. Her funeral service will follow at the Church at 11:00 AM. Burial will be in the Homewood Cemetery. Bro. Kent Pickett will officiate under the direction of Wolf Funeral Services.

Bernice was born on September 5, 1932, to John H. Pickett and Daisy Tadlock Pickett in Morton, MS. She was an excellent student and was the Valedictorian of the Class of 1950 at Morton High School. Bernice began working as a town secretary and eventually worked in the Scott County Courthouse for the Home Demonstration Agent until she had her second child. She married Lemuel Clate Windham on March 28, 1953, and began her married life in the Homewood Community. As a child, Bernice grew up as a member of Line Creek Baptist Church but became a Methodist after her marriage and became a member of what is now known as Homewood Church. She lived life by faith in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and served at Homewood Church for the rest of her days in that community. 

Bernice was an excellent homemaker, she learned to cook anything, especially all those cream pies in the old Betty Crocker cookbook. There was always a dessert available on her kitchen counter. Bernice was also an excellent seamstress, gardener, and most of all, friend. She worked for the United States Postal Service from 1966 until she retired about 41 years later, which saddened her but she decided there was plenty to do: “I’m going to get out and help with the older ones here in the area with cooking and house chores!”

Bernice raised two children; Rebecca “Becky” Windham Ivy and Keith Rush Windham, and set goals for each to be God-fearing community members. She always kept a close relationship with her daughter and her children, for whom she would drop everything and travel to attend events and help with anything that was needed. They have always been a major focus in her life, she loved them dearly and enjoyed having the entire brood at her home when she was able to host the major holidays. Presently, she has three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren with whom she enjoyed visiting. By her example, these children have a connection that will carry throughout life, just as she had growing up with her many cousins in Morton.

When Bernice could no longer remain safe living independently, she moved to the Beehive in Forest where she recently celebrated her 92nd birthday. A few weeks later, she fell and was no longer able to be independently mobile. She was then moved to Hattiesburg to be closer to her family. 

Bernice was preceded in death by her husband, Lemuel C. Windham; a young sister, Annie Doris Pickett; parents, John H. and Daisy Pickett; brother, Richard Pickett and his wife Sue; son, Keith R. Windham, and granddaughter, Michelle Ivy Steeves. Her survivors include daughter, Becky W. Ivy (Bar) of Hattiesburg, their children, Robin Ivy Steeves (Greg) and their daughter, Hayden of Hoover, AL; Eric Windham Ivy (Madison) and their two children, Marcie and Soren Lemuel Ivy of New Orleans, LA; Michelle’s surviving children Win and Ry Sutherlin, Jr. of Hattiesburg (father is Ray Sutherlin).

The family wants to thank all of the beehive staff, Janice Burt, and outside organizations that cared for Bernice for the years she spent there in Forest. Also, we are grateful to the nursing staff and physical therapists at Hattiesburg Health and Rehab who dispensed excellent healthcare her last few days. May God bless all those beautiful lives that ministered to her.

In place of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Homewood Church, 8720 Hwy 35 S, Forest, MS 39074.