Bernice C. Emmert

Bernice Colleen Emmert (nee Eversole), age 89, of West Chester, Ohio, passed away peacefully at St. Joseph Hospital/Bluegrass Hospice Care Center in Lexington, Kentucky on Monday, March 21, 2016, four days before her 90th birthday. Bernice was born Thursday, March 25, 1926 in Covington, Kentucky to Harry and Beulah (nee Peters) Eversole.

Bernice was a lovely, sweet lady…petite in stature, kind and gentle in nature...but with an inner core of steel which gave her the strength and resolve to journey through life’s most difficult moments. She graciously shared that inner strength--and her faith in God--with her family and friends whenever they were in need of help…whether facing illness or personal struggles.

“Be sweet and kind to everybody” was a special life lesson she taught her daughters and granddaughters…but was also a quiet motto of how she lived her own life. Bernice had a kind, thoughtful and generous spirit…she gave of her time and helped others…but would frequently share a special present with those she cared about…each thoughtfully chosen & beautifully gift-wrapped.

Bernice had the genuine ability to make anyone smile. She had a fiery wit and loved to tease…e.g. catching one off guard when she would answer the phone with, “Happy New Year!” on any given day.

She loved and truly appreciated the beautiful things in life, often having her breath taken away by beautiful scenes in nature. She was always in awe of colorful sunsets and felt that they were personal creations sent by Don, the love of her life, as a symbol of his love and continued support after leaving this life way too early. She missed him desperately…for 28 years…but is now finally reunited with him in a much better place.

Bernice also admired and loved to collect beautiful art treasures and collectibles…lovely pieces of crystal...beautiful figurines…cozy teddy bears and pretty angels. She appreciated the smallest of details and always ensured that each item had just the perfect spot. Perhaps, she loved being surrounded by these wonderful treasures to somehow fill a void from past losses…being a child of the depression…her Mother dying when she was only 11 yrs old…having to grow up fast in a difficult family situation…and then Don dying when she was only 62 yrs old.

Above all, Bernice’s greatest joy and legacy was her family…her life became complete as her family grew. From the moment that Bernice met Don on a blind date, following his return from WWII, they shared a special love story that blossomed into a happy life and two daughters. She was a loving Mother who raised her girls to share her values and inner strength.

With Don, Bernice loved spending time with their friends and neighbors…either going to dinner, traveling, having impromptu cocktails on the patio, or playing cards. She loved to entertain…to take frequent trips with Don in the car to Tennessee or LasVegas…or their special vacations to Hawaii and Europe.

Bernice always enjoyed working in her yard, caring for her many landscape gardens. She took great pride in manicuring each flower, shrub & tree to perfection. She always enjoyed simple things…having a cup of tea in the morning while reading the newspaper…caring for Lacey her beloved Yorkie with whom she was inseparable…then Ozzie…her sweet little Silky Terrier who she adopted in 2014 and often called Lacey.

But more recently, the things Bernice enjoyed became even more simple…to be loved…to spend time with family and Ozzie …to be warm, to wear soft, comfortable clothes…to eat lots of bananas and oatmeal raisin cookies…and to take as many naps as she wanted.

Bernice was preceded in death by: her parents, Harry and Beulah Eversole; her loving husband, Donald O. Emmert in 1988; and her siblings, Beulah Cirillo, Paul Eversole, Ray Eversole and Pat Coffin.

Bernice is survived by: her daughters, Donna (Dave) Auyer and Jill (Chris) Robb; granddaughters, Jill (Alan) Lacey and Stephanie Robb; and a great-granddaughter, Maggie Lacey. She was lovingly known as “Nana” to Jill & Maggie and “Nanny” to Stephanie.

Visitation will be at the Mueller Funeral Home at 6791 Tylersville Rd. in Mason, OH 45040 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm on Tuesday, March 29, 2016. The Funeral Service will immediately follow at 6:00 pm. Those wishing to attend the Graveside Service at 10:00 am Wednesday morning, please gather at Mueller Funeral Home by 9:15 am to join the procession to Arlington Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society, Shriners Hospitals for Children, or the Bluegrass Hospice of Lexington, KY.

Please visit Muellerfunerals.com for an extended obituary.

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