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JOYCE BERMUDEZ Obituary
China joined the United States Army in 1978 where she served as a Staff Sergeant (SSG), 74C 30 Telecom Center Operator. She would go on to serve 20 years active duty, retiring in 1998. China received several medals, badges, awards and ribbons, including the Army Commendation Medal (1st OLC), Army Achievement Medal (4th OLC) , Good Conduct Medal (6th award), National Defense Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (w/NUM 4) and the German Army Marksmanship Badge (silver). It was also in the United States Army that she would meet two of her dearest and dedicated friends of over 40 years; Mrs. Christina "Butler" Decker and Mrs. Sherian "Kelsaw" Henry.
After retiring from the Army, China was employed at Home Depot (Store 4605) in Falls Church, VA, where she worked for over 20 years. In her leisure, she enjoyed baking, traveling, reading, watching Lifetime Movies and Tyler Perry TV shows as well writing short stories. Through her selfless nature, it was essential for her to help others in their time of need. She was a very spiritual person serving under the ministry guidance, friendship and mentorship of Bishop Alexander L. Brown, Sr. and Pastor Evangelist Vernice S. Brown of Faith, Love & Hope Ministry Church in Tumwater, WA for over 30 years. China was a unique, beautiful spirit that could light up any room and will be deeply missed.
She was preceded in death by her father, George W. Brown, Sr. of Petersburg, VA; and sister Debra E. Brown of Norfolk, VA. She leaves to mourn her passing, her mother, Evelyn H. Brown of Petersburg, VA; four sisters, Brenda W. Jones (David) of Prince Georges, VA; Shirley Tekle and Esther T. Walker of Petersburg VA, and Linda F. Chambliss of Waldorf, MD; two brothers, George W. Brown Jr. (Elvira) of Killeen, TX, and Warren A. Brown, Sr. (Wendy) of Augusta, GA; two devoted aunts, Naomi Mayo of Aberdeen, MD, and Evangelist Ellen Drake of Brooklyn, NY; one devoted uncle, Russell Hilliard (Lelia Mae) of Petersburg, VA; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; two devoted nieces, Lisa L. Brown of Fairfax, VA, and Crystal M. Lloyd of Waldorf, MD; and devoted cousin, Sheila Paschall (Delaware). Amongst her friends, her Home Depot family, including devoted co-workers, Karen Dziuk, Arvel Grayson, Claire Malinowski, Merlyn Phillips, Shaloma Sarfo and Yury Ramirez and many more.
Service will be held 1:00 P.M., Wednesday, July 15, 2020 in the Chapel of J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, Elder David Jones, eulogist. The interment to follow at Wilkerson Memorial Cemetery.
Please follow the CDC and State of Virginia guidelines.
J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for JOYCE BERMUDEZ
Sponsored by J M Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc. - Petersburg.
Brenda (Wallace) Graham
November 24, 2022
I 'am broken hearted I have searched for China for almost ten years. We served together at Ft Meade. I spent the last twenty years living overseas. Every time I would pick up one of her letters and read it, I would try to look her up again. Her name came up once but no picture, so I sent a little note, I still heard nothing. Today is Thanksgiving and her picture popped up so I tried to send a message, but it wouldn't go through, this time I looked her name up and found her obituary, this was so heart breaking. Her smile would just light up a room. I'm so sorry I didn't fine you sooner. I know heaven is smiling because you are there. You are truly missed.
LaQuita Maxwell
July 22, 2020
I’m heartbroken!! I served in the military with her at Fort Meade. She was a staff Sergeant and I just joined as a private and she took me under her wings and became a mother to me. And when I went through some really bad times she always told me to keep my head up and stay focused. And I did that!! To this day I remember crying and you saying look at me and focus because you can’t change what happened to you and you damn well can’t let it break you!!I thought about her today and goggled her name to try to find her and found this.. sitting in my mail truck truly heartbroken!! I love you Ssgt Bermudez..like I always told you!! Rest In Peace my girl!!
Elmita Ford
July 15, 2020
I pray that the love of God will wrap each and every one of us in his loving arms.
Yury Ramirez
July 15, 2020
My Friend more like a second Mother will miss you but always remember
Patricia Jones-Stanberry
July 15, 2020
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Kevin Mason
July 15, 2020
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
PAULA HILLIARD
July 15, 2020
My deepest condolences Aunt Evelyn and family. Praying for each and everyone of you. SIP my dear cousin China.
Pastor Greg Barrett
July 15, 2020
To Esther, Mrs. Brown and the entire family and friends I extend God's extended love, comfort and peace upon you all. Heaven opened to receive another one of God's children.
Lydia Mayo
July 15, 2020
My condolences to my Aunt Evelyn and Family. China was a sweet sweet spirit and always brighten any place she went. I have fond memories from our childhood. Rest in heaven Dear China. With Love, Lydia
Pastor Vernice Brown
July 14, 2020
On behalf of Faith, Love & Hope Ministry, Tumwater, Washington, we would like to take this opportunity to pass on our heartfelt condolences to the family. We still can't believe she gone, I just spoke to her a week early before her death, we was talking about her coming out to Washington to visit . Bishop Brown and I pray that God will strengthen the family and provide peace that surpasses all understanding, as the family go through a period of bereavement. WE will truly miss our dear sister in Christ, we thank God for over thirty years of friendship and love we have shared together. The word of God says "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints" Psalm 116:15. With mush love to the family.
Esther RIOS
July 13, 2020
You will live in my heart forever. Thank you for all the memories you left behind. Thank you for all you did for my babies while stationed together in Flak Kaserne, Germany. Until we meet again my dear friend. Keyla and I love you more. May my LORD's peace with of us mourning your untimely departure from this earth. From Esther Rios, your baby girl Keyla and the baby boy Victor.
Tom Slattery
July 12, 2020
China was helpful and extremely supportive to so many of us at the Home Depot. As a new employee in 2004 working with China in appliances, she mentored me. I owe a great deal of my success to her as I am still with the company today. Through the years, both of us ended up in different departments working different shifts but she was instrumental in us staying close. Her knack of unifying people showed as she would organize dinners for several of us on each of our birthdays. As I have lived in Florida for the past three years I have thought of her often. China, I hope your smiling down on us from above. Heaven just gained a soul as bright as the sun.
Marthann Mason. Burton. The. Mason. Family
July 12, 2020
My deepest condolences to the Brown family
India Dodson-Rives
July 10, 2020
Praying for Ms. Evelyn and the rest of the family.
Richard Rick Walkere
July 9, 2020
My Heartfelt Condolences for your Loss.
Germany 1981
Aleta Lucas (Chance)
July 8, 2020
Us in Germany 1981
Aleta Lucas (Chance)
July 8, 2020
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. I was stationed in Germany with China (1981 - 1982). She was my daughter's Godmother. I'm so glad I got to see her Feb. 25, 2020. I will always love her. US Army buddies for live, RIP China. Love, Aleta
Dwayne Clardy
July 8, 2020
Sleep with the Angels "Godspeed" Friend
Cathy Malinowski
July 5, 2020
China worked with my daughter, Claire, at The Home Depot. China was like a second mother to her at work. They developed a friendship when they both worked in the Appliance Department. They chatted frequently on iChat. She will be missed. Please let us know about any memorial service.
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J M Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc. - Petersburg102 South Ave, Petersburg, VA 23803-4220
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