Bernice O'Neal Beverley Walsh

WALSH, Bernice O'Neal Beverley, Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, and dear and generous friend to many, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on October 25, 2008 at Johnston-Willis Hospital. Bernice was born at Amelia Court House, Va., on July 24, 1924, the daughter of Earl Wilson and Margaret O'Neal. Her dad died in 1930 and her mother in 1973. She is survived by her siblings Frances O. Harris and Earl Wilson O'Neal Jr. of Amelia and Charlotte Jennings of Richmond, and preceded in death by her sister, Mildred Humlan. Her husband, Russell Simon Beverley died in 1969. They lived and raised their family in Richmond and Charlottesville. She later married George Michael Walsh who died in 1996. They lived in Glen Cove, N.Y., and Lake Monticello, Va. Survivors include daughters, Angeline B. Davis of Manassas, Va., Janice B. Marut and husband, John of Ft. Worth, Texas; sons, Donald R. Beverley and wife, Marty, of Chester, Va., and James Bjorkholm of Richmond. She was preceded in death by her oldest daughter, Gaynelle B. Bjorkholm in 1997 in Mississippi. Bernice had five stepchildren, Mary Ann Shortell of New York, Thomas and Patrick Walsh and wife Theresa, of Colorado, and Christopher and Michael of California. Bernice is also survived by her dear grandchildren, Owen and Colin Davis of Manassas, Va., Julie Schkade and Keith Marut of Fort Worth, Texas, Melissa Tyler, Susan Parent and Carrie Domo of Chester, Ellen Losch of Charlotte, N.C., and Eric Bjorkholm of Baltimore, Md.; and seven great-grandchilden. Bernice enjoyed many activities in her life but felt happiest and most fulfilled when she was helping others. She was an inspiration to many, especially the cancer patients with whom she came in contact. "Junebug" led Girl Scout Troop 239 for many years in Richmond. Like all of us, Bernice lived a life of successes and failures, hopes and anxieties, fun and fear. She leaves us though with an eternal principle of kindness and generosity. The family would like to thank Dr. Randall West and Margaret Collier RN for their amazing constant care and loving support. The family will receive friends on Monday, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Bliley's - Central, 3801 Augusta Ave., Richmond. The funeral will be at their chapel on Tuesday at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Sunset Cemetery, Chester. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials go to the Gaynelle B. Bjorkholm/Bernice O'Neal Beverley Walsh Scholarship Fund, Longwood University, 201 High St., Farmville, Va. 23909.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.