Bernice Alma Gay

Bernice Alma Phillips – Bateman – Coleman – Gay, 95, passed away Tuesday, December 31st at Unity Health Medical Center. She was born on June 25, 1924 to the late Floyd O. Phillips and Emily (Sims) Phillips. She had one sister, Ruth Phillips who died when she was a young child. Bernice graduated from Searcy High School. On May 30, 1941 the day of her graduation, she married Faye Commie Bateman. They had three children, V. Annette Bateman-Craven (Roy), Bonnie Lou Bateman (deceased), and Floyd Bateman.

After Faye passed away, she married Matthew Coleman. After Matthew passed away, she married Nazarene Minister T.M. Gay. Bernice and T.M. owned a plant shop where Bernice was free to let her passion for plants and flowers blossom. She had a natural “green” thumb and was successful at making everything grow. She was a long-time member of the Garner Nazarene Church and the Searcy Nazarene Church.

Left to cherish her memory are her two children, daughter, Annette Craven (Roy); one son, Floyd Bateman; five grandchildren, Gary Craven (Veronica), Billy Craven (Shane), Jimmy Craven (Teresa), Tim Bateman, and Kristie Bateman; eight great grandchildren, Alan Craven (Karen), Amanda Craven, Jessica Haley (Joe), Heather Holden, Heath Holden (Amanda), Nick Craven, Brook Roberts (Zach), Sidney; and two great great grandchildren, Jaxon Roberts and Walker Holden.

She was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Linda Craven.

Visitation will be from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Friday, January 3rd at The Searcy Church of the Nazarene.

Funeral services will start at 12:00 PM at The Searcy Church of the Nazarene with burial following at Gum Springs Cemetery.

Share A Memory: www.searcymceuenfuneralhome.com