bernice billingsley carter
1925-1998
Life Story
Bernice Billingsley Carter was a woman whose life reflected the strength, faith, and community spirit that defined many African American families in rural Mississippi during the twentieth century. Born during the era of Jim Crow and raised in a close-knit family, she spent her life rooted in Newton County, where she became known for her hospitality, faith, and devotion to family.
Early Life and Family
Bernice Billingsley was born on December 3, 1925, in the rural community of Morton in Scott County, Mississippi. She was the daughter of Dewitt Billingsley and Zena Hopkins Billingsley, members of a large Black family navigating the realities of life in the segregated South.
By 1930, Bernice was living with her parents and siblings in Beat 4 of neighboring Newton County, where the family maintained deep roots. Her father worked to support a growing household that included her older brothers Louis and Albert, as well as younger siblings Dan Richard and May Nell.
Like many African American children growing up in rural Mississippi during this period, Bernice experienced both the value and the limitations of education in segregated schools. Records indicate that she attended school and completed the second grade, a level of education common for children who were often required to leave school early to help support their families.
Marriage and Changing Names
As Bernice entered adulthood, her life reflected the evolving identities that often accompanied marriage and family life.
In July 1948, records list her under the name Burneice Walker. By May 1953, she had married into the Carter family, becoming known as Bernice Walker Carter. Later records from 1978 suggest a subsequent marriage to a man with the surname Rigsby, though she remained widely known within the community as Bernice B. Carter.
For many years she lived in Newton, Mississippi, where she maintained a home at 309 High Street, becoming a familiar and respected figure in the neighborhood.
Faith and Community
Faith formed the foundation of Bernice’s life. She was a devoted member of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) in Newton, where she remained active for many years.
Her service extended beyond regular church attendance. Bernice was known for practicing what many in the church tradition call the “ministry of hospitality.” She welcomed relatives, neighbors, and church members into her home, offering meals, fellowship, and support.
A 1975 article in The Newton Record captured this spirit of generosity. The newspaper noted that Bernice hosted and prepared a christening dinner in her home for her foster grandchild, Myrian Rochelle Catchings. Such acts were not unusual for her; friends and family remembered her as a gifted cook who was always ready to share her table.
Legacy and Passing
Bernice Billingsley Carter passed away on July 29, 1998, at the age of 72, while under the care of Hospice South in Meridian, Mississippi.
Her obituary reflects the remarkable reach of her family and community ties. She was preceded in death by her parents and several siblings, including her brothers Dan Richard Billingsley and Louis Dewitt Billingsley, and her sisters Luzena B. Tillman and Margie Billingsley.
Yet the family she left behind was immense. Bernice was survived by fifty-four nieces and nephews, a testament to the large extended family networks that characterized many Black communities in Newton County.
Her funeral service was held on August 1, 1998, at Macedonia Church of God in Christ, with Reverend Booker T. Wells officiating. Surrounded by relatives, neighbors, and friends, she was laid to rest as a beloved member of the community—remembered not only for the family she cherished but for the warmth and generosity she shared with so many.
Resting Place
Unknown
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1930 Federal Census
- 1940 Federal Census
- U.S. Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1
- U.S. Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 2
- U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
- U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
- The Newton Record, Zena Mae Hopkins Billingsley Obituary, Wed, Jun 22, 1994 ·Page 10
- Scott County Times, Mrs. Bernice B. Carter Obituary, Wed, Aug 05, 1998 ·Page 6
- The Newton Record, Wed, Dewitt Billingsley Obituary, Dec 22, 1965 ·Page 12
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