Bernece Briscoe

Bernece Briscoe has gone on to be with the Lord. All who were blessed to be touched by her life have both a big hole in their heart for her, yet a heart full and overflowing with the love she showered upon them. There is no way to number the lives that were touched by her sweetness and kindness. We, her family and friends, rejoice and celebrate her life. Funeral services will be held Sunday, October 7, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 pm Saturday evening at the funeral home. Burial will be at the Hess, Oklahoma Cemetery at 2 p.m. on Monday. She was born on Jan 13, 1924 to Floyd and Maggie Williams of Elmer, Oklahoma, married Guy Haney Briscoe in 1941 and went on to be with the Lord on October 4, 2007. Upon her death, she was surrounded by family and wonderful caregivers of the hospice unit at Hendrick Medical Center. Bernece lived a life of celebration. She loved God, she loved life, and she loved people. Even in her dying hours, she was more concerned about the comfort and welfare of others than her own needs. She literally devoted her life to others, choosing to spend all of her time as a young mother and wife, raising four children and supporting her husband. She had such a gift of hospitality that her home was always full of visitors and overnight guests. She hosted family, friends and even dignitaries of state. A more gracious woman could not be found. Bernece was a woman of faith, who loved the Lord with all her heart, mind and soul and others as herself. At the tender age of 10 years, she was braced on the piano bench playing hymns for the church service at Elmer Baptist Church, Elmer, OK. Her gift of music always inspired others. She has been a member of Highland Baptist Church, Lubbock, and Hyde Park Baptist Church Austin, prior to becoming a member of First Baptist Church, Abilene, and the Sarah Sunday School class. Bernece defined herself by her relationships, but she spent a number of years working for the Attorney General of Texas, as a personal liaison to two attorneys general. Her latter years were spent encouraging others in their times of trauma and grief and being a friend to so many. She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years. Survivors include son, Barry (and Joyce) Briscoe, of Kingwood, TX; daughter, Guyann (and Doug) Wood, of Belton, TX; daughter, Rhonda (and Leroy) Bolt, of Abilene; and son, Bob (and Debi) Briscoe of Tulsa, OK. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.