Margaret Bernice Jones was born on July 17, 1953 to parents, Ira Washington, Sr. and Rosemary Jones in Clarksdale, Mississippi.
She received her education in the Leland, Mississippi school system and later in life, after relocating to Michigan, she was employed at Wyeth Laboratories in Mason.
Bernice accepted Christ at an early age and later continued in her faith by joining Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church (PRBC) in Lansing, Michigan.
Bernice had a loving and giving spirit. She loved taking care of her beautiful flowers and the people in her life. Even when, at times, she wasn't physically able to help, she always did what she could to lend a helping hand. She especially enjoyed helping and spending time with her mother, Georgia Mae Washington. She loved her family, and took tremendous pride talking about her grandchildren's accomplishments to whomever would listen.
Next to spending time with family, Bernice loved watching westerns. Whether watching a TV series like "Gunsmoke" or a movie drama with her favorite actor, John Wayne, she would watch westerns all night into the early hours of the morning. Second to westerns was her love for soap operas.
Known as a consummate storyteller, Bernice had an extraordinary ability to wrap you into the back-story of a soap character's life, whether you wanted to hear about it or not.
She was preceded in death by her father, Ira Washington, Sr.; her mother, Rosemary Jones; her grandmother, Lillian Tyler; brothers, Floyd Jones and Edward Jones, Jr.; and sisters, Phyllis Washington, Ethel Owens, Rosemarie Jones and Louise Milton.
On January 20, 2016, during the early hours of the morning, Bernice was called to be with the Lord at the age of 62. She will be greatly missed.
She leaves to cherish her memory with her daughter, Barbara Patterson; grandchildren, Brandon Jackson and Brooklyn Patterson; great-grandchildren, Kayden Sawyer and Mya Araia; mother, Georgia Mae Washington; sisters, Dorothy Washington, Wednesday Ross (William), Edna Pratt of Texas, and Lucille Whittaker of Mississippi; brothers, Danny Washington, Ira Washington, Jr. (Shirley), Gregory Washington (Nicole), Jonathan Owens (Toya), Bobby Jones and Percy Jones of New York, and Michael Steele of Illinois;; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.


Ms. Margaret Bernice Jones will lie in repose Friday, January 29, 3-6pm at Riley Funeral Home, 426 W. St. Joseph Street, Lansing, MI 48933.  Funeral service will be held Saturday, January 30, 10:30am at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, 5200 Pleasant Grove Road, Lansing, MI 48911.  Family will receive friends 30minutes prior to the funeral.  Memories and condolences may be shared at www.rileyfuneralhome.com .