Bernice Richardson Momon

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Obituary

Bernice was born in Duncan, Mississippi to Annite Howard and John Richard, Sr. who preceded her in death.    She was married to the Late Spencer Momon, Jr.  who also preceded her in death after 57 years of marriage.  She graduated with the highest honors from Booker T. Washington High School in Memphis, Tennessee and furthered her education at Memphis State University (currently The University of Memphis).

Bernice Richardson Momon had one life to live and much of it was devoted to maximizing her gifts and talents in the Church.  After finding a Church home in the late 1950’s, she proceeded to work faithfully on assigned projects for Church work was a priority in her younger years.   She was a faithful member (since 1959, 66 years) of Pentecostal Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorage of the late Reverend Carl A. Johnson.  She served faithfully in the Pentecostal Baptist Church Adult Choir, as President of the Busy Bee Club, Pastor’s Anniversary Chairman many times, and participated in fund raising ventures, especially dinner sales, to augment Church fiscal resources.  She was a devoted member of the Divine Messenger Chorale Ensemble of Memphis, Tennessee under the leadership of the Late State Representative Lois DeBerry and the Late Reverend Charles Cartwright.  She loved being a part of this group as this music ministry would go into the jails and various churches to sing to the glory and the majesty of God.

She graduated with the highest honors from Booker T. Washington High School in Memphis, Tennessee and furthered her education at Memphis State University (currently The University of Memphis).  She served as a gifted teacher in several vocational and academic programs in Memphis.  Her many attributes included teaching, singing, sewing, developing, and illuminating fashion artistry.  Her dedication was to those who wished to maximize their skills in the vocation of tailoring and hat making.  She always said, “If I could learn to make shoes, I would.” 

She leaves to mourn her passing four children, Patricia Ann Norvell, Dr. Renee M. Momon-Ugwu, Spencer Momon III, and Tarolyn L. Momon.  She is the grandmother of Carl Norvell Jr., Kevin Norvell, Martin Cornelius Ugwu, Jr.  Kyla Chikanya Ugwu, and Chani Momon. 

Her surviving sisters include Ethyl Lee Thompson (Memphis, Tennessee), Gloria Jean Lampkin (Detroit, Michigan), and Vanessa Jeffries (Gary, Indiana).  Her favorite niece is Pauline Wiggins (St. Louis, Missouri).  She has several great grandchildren and other nieces, nephews, and a host of friends to mourn her passing.

She was preceded in death by her sisters, Cora Lee Strickland-Chaffin, Martha, Maxine, LaVerne, Bessie Richmond, Lucille Gray, and brothers Ernest Fair, Howard, John Richard, Jr., and Charles.