COTTAGEVILLE: Bernice E. Bailey, a retired seamstress with the Walterboro Dress Plant, died Sunday, December 8, 2019 at the Colleton Medical Center.  She was 85.

Bernice was born September 16, 1934, a daughter of the late Benjamin "Bennie" Franklin Bailey Sr. and Mary "Mamie" Crosby Bailey.     She was a lifelong, active member of the Spring Hill Baptist Church.  Bernice was preceded in death by her twelve siblings:  Mary, Myrtle, Edith, Ernest, Benjamin, Willis, Dennis, Leila Mae, and Lula Bell Bailey, Miriam B. Wagener, Annie Ruth B. Pye, and Ruby B. Rickenbaker.

Bernice is survived by a brother-in-law, Carl Wagener of Cottageville, and by a sister-in-law, Anita Bailey of North Charleston.  There are a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, as well as a large extended family.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM Thursday, December 12, 2019 in the chapel of Parker-Rhoden Funeral Home, with burial following in the Bedon Baptist Church Cemetery.  The family will receive friends beginning at 11:00 AM at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation.  Parker-Rhoden Funeral Home, 117 Paul Street in Walterboro is in charge of arrangements.