Bernice King

Bernice Cleotta (Drakes) King was born on the island of Barbados on April 7, 1934. The fourth of five children to the late James Walter & Ellen Drakes.

Upon the age of 12 years old, she became an excellent cook and baker! By the age of 14, she learned to sew (dressmaking/tailoring). She was always happy as well as the life of the party laughing and telling jokes!!

She migrated to Boston in 1969 and worked in a private home taking care of three boys. Thereafter, she became employed at the Beth Israel Hospital for 17½ years until her departure to return to caring for children for another 18 years until her retirement.

Mother King accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior in 1972 and was baptized by the late Rev. Arnold Browne of the Beulah Pilgrim Holiness Church.

Some years later, she served at the Joy & Gladness Church under Pastor James Winspeare and, thereafter, joined her beloved church home at Faith Christian Church under leadership of Bishop LeRoy & Rev. Elvina Greenaway.

She was always known as a people-person and will be dearly missed.

Mother King was blessed with her loving daughter, Marcelle Ashby, beloved grandsons; Anderson (Terrilyn) & Andrew (Andrea); three grandchildren Latrell, Kasidee & Hailey; many friends, too numerous to mention.