Bernice West

Effie Bernice (Collins) West was born March 24, 1924, in Baum, OK, to the late Jesse Homer & Velma Myrl (Sampley) Collins. She went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, July 15, 2023, in Sulphur, at the age of 99 years, 3 months and 21 days. She and J.W. West were united in marriage on July 25, 1941, in Murray County. From this union were born three daughters Kaye, Karol and Marilyn.

Bernice lived 99 years fulfilling the roles of a loving wife, Mother, Nanny/Grandma, daughter, sister, friend, member of this community that she loved…and most importantly a Child of God! She has played each of these roles well! Her family was blessed to observe how quietly and gently she managed “life.” She had such strength, yet so humble and full of grace and wisdom. . . a role model for those who knew her.

Faith was her foundation and the church family was of utmost importance. She was fully committed to her God for basically her entire lifetime and was a prayer warrior for family, friends, and her country. Bernice’s prayers were conversational, purposeful, full of faith, and lasted as long as they “needed” to last.

Her heart of compassion showed she cared by faithfully caring for her husband after an accident for 18 years, even though she was told it was not possible to care for him at home.

Bernice was a fabulous cook and baker that provided her family and others with amazing “food fun” even for son-in-laws who graciously received their personal pie favorite! During the “hobo era,” you would find her preparing sack lunches to pass out at our back door.

Bernice made holidays special with decorations, food, gifts, and especially welcoming everyone “home”! If someone needed a holiday home, she welcomed them, also. The family grew…the house didn’t …but it always worked for years!

She was an avid reader, a seamstress, a gardener, lover of flowers…Hallmark movies …TBN channel…and road trips!

She believed in healthy communication and maintaining relationships. She was great at phone calls and even evolved to texting her children and grandchildren using a splash of emojis to make it fun or add a touch of humor. Exercising and riding her stationary bike ten miles every day for years was a priority!

Bernice was a joy to know, a blessing to be loved by her, and an honor to have a relationship with her!

Survivors include her three daughters, Kaye Fullerton of Davis, Karol Day & husband Glenn of Tulsa, and Marilyn Caldwell & husband Randy of Dallas; seven grandchildren, Dale Fullerton & wife Andria, Rhonda Staggs & husband Kevin, Jeremy Fullerton & wife Melissa, Amber Day Clausen & husband Jeff, Brandon Day & wife Heather, Ryan Caldwell & wife Hope, and Blake Caldwell & wife Alex; eighteen great-grandchildren, Hunter Fullerton & wife Kourtney, Mason Fullerton, Josh Clark, Hannah Saunders, Tyner Kennedy & wife Maddy, Rylie Farmer & husband Justin, Abbie Staggs, Weston Fullerton, Gracie Fullerton, Caitlin Day, Barrett Day, Bella Clausen, Easton Caldwell, Carter Caldwell, Hayes Caldwell, Cavner Caldwell, Liam Caldwell, and Gabriel Caldwell; four great-great grandchildren, Reece Farmer, Jaxon Farmer, London Kennedy, and Gunnar Kennedy; sister, Doris Stoltzfus; sister-in-law, Bonnie Collins; as well as her beloved church family, and numerous nieces, nephews, loved ones, and friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, Bernice was preceded in death by one son-in-law, Gary Dale Fullerton; four siblings, Lawana Dunlap, Palmer Collins, Theda Fincher, and Billy Collins; and in-laws, Jess and Pearl West.

Funeral services will be held 11:00AM, Saturday, July 22, 2023, at the First Pentecostal Holiness Church in Sulphur, with Reverends Tim Moore and Lance Bonner officiating. Interment will follow at the Oaklawn Cemetery in Sulphur.

Serving as pallbearers will be her grandsons Dale Fullerton, Jeremy Fullerton, Brandon Day, Ryan Caldwell, Blake Caldwell, and Tyner Kennedy. Honorary bearers will be Randy Caldwell, Glenn Day, Kevin Staggs, Milton White, Jerry Bob Lancaster, Sr., Darrell Lackey, Jerry Bob Lancaster, Jr.,Bobby Kemp, and Steve Vinson.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Ryan Oden, Arbuckle Memorial Hospital nursing staff, Good Shepherd Hospice, Arbuckle Home Health, and our loving caregivers Ashlie Frazier, Monica Rushing, and Tricia McCreary, her church family, friends, members of the community and Hale’s Funeral Home. The people who have touched her have been such a blessing and for that we are truly grateful!

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest that memorial offerings be made to the Pleasant Hills Children’s Home, PO Box 1177, Fairfield, TX 75840.

Services are entrusted to Hale’s Funeral Home of Sulphur.

Online condolences may be offered at halesfuneralhomes.com.