Bernice Lockett Birdsong

The Obituary of a Woman of God
Deacon Bernice Lockett Birdsong passed away quietly into the loving arms of her Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, November 2, 2025 at 92 years of age. A remarkable woman, she is the daughter of Deacon Willie and Prince Ella Lockett, born in Thomasville, GA where she attended the public school system. She was joined in matrimony to Mr. John Birdsong, Jr. in Thomasville. To that union, five children were born: Veronica Ann, John III, Derrick Leon, Verinda Michelle and Valerie Dineen. While in Thomasville, she joined and was a member of Providence Baptist Church whose associate pastor was former Ambassador Andrew Young.
"Duchess" as she was affectionately called by her grandchildren, migrated with her husband, John Birdsong to Hartford, CT in 1962 with their three eldest children, Veronica, Johnny and Derrick. Two more children, Verinda and Valerie were born in CT. The family settled in the Hartford area.
Mother Birdsong had a long standing career at the prestigious community legal aid firm, Neighborhood Legal Services where she retired as a trained paralegal. While working full-time, she was active in church ministry first as a missionary at Holy Trinity Church of God in Christ. Later on, she returned to her Baptist roots and was a faithful member of MT. Calvary Baptist Church, Hartford, CT serving in the adult choir, Sunday school and visitation committee.
45 years ago, in 1980, she along with her husband and children Valerie and Verinda, became founding members of Pilgrim Way Baptist Church of Bloomfield, CT under the pastorate of Rev. Earl W. Lawson who licensed her as a Deaconess. At Pilgrim Way, she was active in the diaconate board, choir ministry, visitation department, Sunday school department as teacher of the adult Bible class, a trainer and leader of the missionary department. She also graduated from the Hartford Seminary ministerial program. Under the pastorate of Rev. Robert Littlejohn, she was ordained a Deacon where she served as a leader and mentor for many years to the newer Deacons serving in ministry. On the 45 church anniversary at the 11:00 a.m. service on November 2, 2025, she was honored with the title, "Deacon Emeritus" by the current Pastor of Pilgrim Way Baptist, Rev. Glen Snowden and the Diaconate board.
Deacon Birdsong was a dedicated and committed mother to her children and family, a devoted wife of 51 years to John Birdsong, Jr., a loyal friend to so many friends, many of whom have gone home to Glory, a community helper, a lover of people, a generous host, and a faithful servant of Jesus Christ. She taught her children and grandchildren the importance of family, getting a good education, loving people, and loving the Lord and living to please God. She was a phenomenal cook, baker and interior decorator par excellence. Most of all, she was a true student of God's Word, a "Berean" who thoroughly studied and taught the Holy Scriptures She was a true renaissance woman!
She will be dearly missed by her eldest daughter Veronica Ann, her youngest daughter Valerie Dineen, and her middle daughter Verinda Michelle. We are very sure, she has received her Crown of Glory from Jesus, Her Lord and Savior and so we rest in the sovereignty of our Master, Jesus Christ with tears, but yet rejoicing!
She leaves to mourn but to remember the good times: daughters Veronica Owens, Verinda Birdsong, Valerie Daniels (son-in-law, Elder Phillip Daniels), her eldest grandson Jeffery W. Owens, granddaughter Victoria E. Daniels and grandsons Phillip U. Daniels and Derrick L. Birdsong; great grandsons Devon and Dorian Owens, and Isaiah Birdsong; and great-great grandsons Mason Owens. She also leaves to cherish her memory, a sweet niece Shirley, a close family friend Nikki, a tribe called the Campbell-Dozier clan, and a host of extended "friends-like-family", and so many others who knew her through work and ministry.
We will see you again!