Bernice McGlothin

Ms. Bernice McGlothin passed away on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at her residence in Saginaw, Michigan. Age 75 years. She was born on October 22, 1949, in Saginaw, Michigan, to Willie Mae Garth-Hickman. She was blessed to be supported by the late Clarence Nowell, Sr., and Harry Hickman. Ms. McGlothin would later in life meet her loving and devoted biological father, Mr. Arlay Burrow Sr., whom she loved dearly.

She was a lifelong resident of Saginaw, Michigan. She married Robert Earl McGlothin, Sr., and he preceded her in death. Bernice was employed by the City of Saginaw (Streets) Department as a Secretary until she retired in 2008. She was a former member of Greater Williams Temple Church under the leadership of the late Bishop H.J. Williams. Bernice continued her Christian journey at Bethlehem Temple Apostolic church along with her oldest daughter.

Ms. Bernice attended Arthur Eddy Junior High School and Saginaw High School. She loved being a member of the track team. She attended and took business courses at Delta College.

Mother Bernice enjoyed singing, sewing, playing Bocce Ball, water aerobics, walking around the neighborhood, and reading to the children at Jessie Loomis Elementary School. Ms. Bernice was also a member of the Saginaw Valley District Choir led by Jerry Redeemer and Kayron Lewis. Ms. McGlothin was also a past member of the Saginaw Choral Society. She loved photography and raising house plants.

Ms. Bernice leaves to cherish her memory her children, Deatte McGlothin, Saginaw, Michigan, Darrell McGlothin, Saginaw, Michigan, and Rita McGlothin, Atlanta, Georgia; stepdaughter, Stephany Pruitt and her daughter Tanisha Pruitt, Ypsilanti, Michigan; grandchild, Marcel McGlothin, Sr., Saginaw, Michigan; two great-grandchildren, Camryn McGlothin, Marcel McGlothin Jr, and their mother. Ciara Ruffin, Saginaw, Michigan; four sisters, Freddie Mae Nowell, Saginaw, Michigan, Ella Mae Collins, Fort Worth, Texas, Tuanita Cochren (Soloman), Rochester, New York, and bonus sister, Joyce Turner, Rochester, New York; three brothers, John Garth, Oakland, California, Arlay Burrow (Carla) Vallejo, California, and bonus brother, Leon Tate (Jannett) Rochester, New York; six nieces, Theresa Cooper, Phyllis Cooper, Ouila (Kevin Sr.) Kennedy, Jene’ Evans, Tresha Collins, Desiree Nowell; six nephews, Reggie and Ranndy Cooper, Kweke Garth, Vincent Howard, Lavelle Nowell, Aaron (Shanece) Burrow; nine cousins, Frank (Sandy) Garth, Barbara Miner, Debra Riley, Melody, Daryl, Thelbert, and Leonard McNeely, Pam Chester, Jessie Garth, Jr; one sister-in-law, Kaamilya Allateef; four godsons, DJ Price and Family, Savion Dottery-Rowe, Koran McKinley, and Andrue Maliszewski; many other relatives and friends including special friends, Barbara Brown, Betty Collins, Kim Barksdale-Henderson, Pam Dottery, Mary Ross, Margaret Terrell, Janice Sweeney, Shirley Brooks, Eric Collins, Charlie McKinley, Omie Smith, Rosie Diggs, Edith Cooper and Mr. Garza.

Ms. Bernice was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Earl McGlothin, Sr.; one son, Robert Earl McGlothin, Jr.; parents, Willie Mae Garth, Arlay (Juanita) Burrow, Sr., Clarence Nowell, Sr., and Harry Hickman; mother-in-law, Estell McGlothin; sister, Mary Reed Cooper, and brother-in-law, Herman Cooper; grandparents, Anthony (Lula) Garth; aunts, Freddie Mae Garth-Davenport, Georgia Garth-Hemphill; uncles, Richard Williams Sr, Robert Lee Garth, Sr., John L. Garth, Lu James Garth; nephews: Tracy Howard and Arlay Burrow III and great-nephew, Shermein Cooper; cousins, Richard “Pete” Williams Jr., Richard Williams III, David Williams, Mary Williams, Pauline and Xavier McNeely, Anthony Garth (Bozo), Lee O. Garth, Burley Garth, Annie Garth, Josie Smith, Clarence Nowell, Nathaniel Garth, Dominique Garth, William (Bertha) Garth Sr., Jessie Garth Sr., Robert Lee Garth, Jr., Willie James Garth, William Garth Jr. "Mickey," Johnnie Mae Nowell-Bond and Tangela Nowell; friends, Hazel Irvin and Ollie Pritchett; and former father-in-law, Robert (Lucille) McGlothin.

The family would like to express special thanks to Covenant Hospice VA, Mary Free Bed at Covenant Healthcare, Bethlehem Temple Apostolic Church, and Christ Image Community Church, all of Saginaw, MI, Restoration Community Resources led by Ministers Kevin and Myrtice Smith of College Park, GA, Dream Big Youth Travel, led by Michael and Doretha White of Fayetteville, GA, Just Be Beautiful, Inc. Girls Mentoring - Ioyanna Coney of Atlanta, GA.