Elizabeth City, NC - Bernice Gaines Williams, 64, of Elizabeth City, North Carolina, was called to her eternal home on Monday, February 10, 2020.  Born in Anderson, SC, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Emma Owens Gaines.

Bernice earned a B.S. in Biology from Erskine College in Due West South Carolina.  She then served 12 years in the United States Air Force.  In the military, she entered the medical field as a Cytotechnologist focusing on the early detection of cancer and other cellular abnormalities in her patients. After her service, she continued her career in medicine supervising teams of Cytotechnologists for medical facilities in New Mexico, Nebraska, Nevada, California, and lastly in North Carolina where she afterwards retired with over 40 years in the profession.

In addition to her love of medicine and cellular biology, Bernice was a talented artist.  She was both a painter and award-winning stained glass artist.  In her later years, she honed her skill at restoring furniture and pieces of art. She saw the potential in the most everyday of objects that others overlooked and completely restored them to their former beauty or recrafted them into something entirely new and beautiful. Visitors remark that they feel they've entered a gallery when entering her home and seeing her art on display. Bernice was a world traveler and a great reader of books on history, politics, and art with a well-reasoned opinion on a variety of subjects.  Mostly, Bernice was generous, fun, and kind.  She will be greatly missed by her friends and family.

She leaves behind to cherish fond memories her daughter Audrey Williams (Michael J. King), Missouri City, TX and son, Christopher Williams, Philadelphia, PA.; one grandchild, Lanique, Albuquerque, NM; sisters Margaret Weaver, Sheridan, Illinois and Sue Gains, Charlotte NC and brothers Ray Gaines, Chicago, IL and Walter Gaines, Savannah, GA; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Viewing will be 10 am-11 am Saturday at Mt. Able Baptist Church.

Funeral Service is 11 am Saturday at Mt. Able Baptist Chuch in Pendleton, SC.