Obituary for Berniece Ophelia Smith
In God’s perfect peace, BERNIECE OPHELIA OLDS SMITH went home to be with her Lord on
Wednesday, May 25, 2022. God said to Abraham in Genesis 15:15; “you will live to be ripe old age
and pass away in peace.” God blessed Berniece to celebrate her 96 th birthday. Berniece was
born in Norfolk, Virginia , to the late James H. Olds, Sr. and Marjorie Elliott Olds on April 15,
1926.
Lovingly known to many as “Ma B,” Berniece was educated in the Norfolk Public School System.
She attended Norfolk State University when it was known as “Little State” and eventually
earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. Armed with that degree and
a God-given spirit of loving and lifting people, she taught in the Chesapeake Public School
System, the Federal WIC Program and the Child Day Care Center at Saint Thomas AME Church
in Norfolk, Virginia.
Ma B was a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Norfolk, Virginia, where she was a loving,
loyal and tireless member for many years. She served God and her church as a Sunday School
Teacher, Vacation Bible School Teacher, Church Missionary, Deaconess, Gospel Choir member
and also served in the Food Service Ministry as a coordinator and cook. And Lord knows, she
could cook!!! In her later years, she also blessed the church with her twice yearly BIRTHDAY
AND CHRISTMAS PARTIES FOR HER GODCHILDREN AND HER GUESTS. And EVERYONE always knew
what the color theme was...BLACK & WHITE, of course. For these party events, everybody
received a thoughtful, neatly wrapped gift from Ma B. She was such a devoted, loving and
caring person who lifted the hearts and minds of everyone she came in contact with.
Ma B was the widow of Deacon John Anderson Smith, Sr. She was predeceased by her
youngest daughter, Helen “BUMPSY” Vaughan. Left to cherish her memory are 1 brother:
Rudolph M. Olds (Carolyn); her 2 daughters: Bernice Jones (Finley), and Gwendolyn Elaine
Smith, son: John A. Smith, Jr. (Rhita); 3 grandsons: DeJohn A. Smith, Adrian A. Jones and
Kowan O. Reese, 1 granddaughter: Arielle A. Jones; 4 great-grandchildren: Kiara D. Smith,
Tre’Quan S. Reese, Angel K. Reese and Terrell D. Reese. Also many cousins, nieces, nephews,
relatives, Godchildren and friends.
Wednesday, May 25, 2022. God said to Abraham in Genesis 15:15; “you will live to be ripe old age
and pass away in peace.” God blessed Berniece to celebrate her 96 th birthday. Berniece was
born in Norfolk, Virginia , to the late James H. Olds, Sr. and Marjorie Elliott Olds on April 15,
1926.
Lovingly known to many as “Ma B,” Berniece was educated in the Norfolk Public School System.
She attended Norfolk State University when it was known as “Little State” and eventually
earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. Armed with that degree and
a God-given spirit of loving and lifting people, she taught in the Chesapeake Public School
System, the Federal WIC Program and the Child Day Care Center at Saint Thomas AME Church
in Norfolk, Virginia.
Ma B was a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Norfolk, Virginia, where she was a loving,
loyal and tireless member for many years. She served God and her church as a Sunday School
Teacher, Vacation Bible School Teacher, Church Missionary, Deaconess, Gospel Choir member
and also served in the Food Service Ministry as a coordinator and cook. And Lord knows, she
could cook!!! In her later years, she also blessed the church with her twice yearly BIRTHDAY
AND CHRISTMAS PARTIES FOR HER GODCHILDREN AND HER GUESTS. And EVERYONE always knew
what the color theme was...BLACK & WHITE, of course. For these party events, everybody
received a thoughtful, neatly wrapped gift from Ma B. She was such a devoted, loving and
caring person who lifted the hearts and minds of everyone she came in contact with.
Ma B was the widow of Deacon John Anderson Smith, Sr. She was predeceased by her
youngest daughter, Helen “BUMPSY” Vaughan. Left to cherish her memory are 1 brother:
Rudolph M. Olds (Carolyn); her 2 daughters: Bernice Jones (Finley), and Gwendolyn Elaine
Smith, son: John A. Smith, Jr. (Rhita); 3 grandsons: DeJohn A. Smith, Adrian A. Jones and
Kowan O. Reese, 1 granddaughter: Arielle A. Jones; 4 great-grandchildren: Kiara D. Smith,
Tre’Quan S. Reese, Angel K. Reese and Terrell D. Reese. Also many cousins, nieces, nephews,
relatives, Godchildren and friends.