Bernice Maxine Randolph was the daughter of Ward Randolph and Lulu Ellen (Fittro) Randolph. Born on May 13, 1922, in Wilsonburg, Harrison County, West Virginia, Bernice was the sixth child, second daughter, in a family of ten children, of whom nine survived infancy. The family home was on a farm and the children grew up working with their parents and siblings to produce the food served on the dinner table. Bernice never married and lived in the family home her entire life.
By the date of the 1900 U.S. Census at the age of 17, Bernice's father had lost his own father and was working as a farm laborer while attending school. The next Census in 1910 listed Ward Randolph, age 26, as coal miner living with his mother and sister in Coal District, Harrison County, WV. The 1930 U.S. Census, at the beginning of The Great Depression, listed Ward Randolph, father of eight children, as a Foreman at a Coal Mine, and owner of his own home in Coal District, Harrison County, WV. This census included Bernice as Ward and Lula's 8-year-old daughter. By 1940, the family had retained ownership of their home and farm. Ward's occupation was listed as "carpenter" and eight of the children continued to live at the family home, including 18-year-old Bernice, who was working as a "clerk."
Bernice pursued a lengthy career as a bookkeeper for local businesses, including Akro Agate Company and Monongahela Hospital Service Company. After their father and mother passed away in 1962 and 1965, respectively, Bernice and her sister Ellen continued to live in the family home and to plant and harvest a large garden of vegetables. Bernice and Ellen would also host extended family gatherings at their home on holidays, with relatives contributing covered dishes and the entire crowd of old and young playing games on the lawn.
A faithful Christian, Bernice passed away on March 10, 2003, and was buried at O'Neil Cemetery in Wilsonburg, WV. Bernice was survived by her sisters Margaret, Ellen and Mary Lou, and by many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
AMG
By the date of the 1900 U.S. Census at the age of 17, Bernice's father had lost his own father and was working as a farm laborer while attending school. The next Census in 1910 listed Ward Randolph, age 26, as coal miner living with his mother and sister in Coal District, Harrison County, WV. The 1930 U.S. Census, at the beginning of The Great Depression, listed Ward Randolph, father of eight children, as a Foreman at a Coal Mine, and owner of his own home in Coal District, Harrison County, WV. This census included Bernice as Ward and Lula's 8-year-old daughter. By 1940, the family had retained ownership of their home and farm. Ward's occupation was listed as "carpenter" and eight of the children continued to live at the family home, including 18-year-old Bernice, who was working as a "clerk."
Bernice pursued a lengthy career as a bookkeeper for local businesses, including Akro Agate Company and Monongahela Hospital Service Company. After their father and mother passed away in 1962 and 1965, respectively, Bernice and her sister Ellen continued to live in the family home and to plant and harvest a large garden of vegetables. Bernice and Ellen would also host extended family gatherings at their home on holidays, with relatives contributing covered dishes and the entire crowd of old and young playing games on the lawn.
A faithful Christian, Bernice passed away on March 10, 2003, and was buried at O'Neil Cemetery in Wilsonburg, WV. Bernice was survived by her sisters Margaret, Ellen and Mary Lou, and by many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
AMG
Bernice Maxine Randolph was the daughter of Ward Randolph and Lulu Ellen (Fittro) Randolph. Born on May 13, 1922, in Wilsonburg, Harrison County, West Virginia, Bernice was the sixth child, second daughter, in a family of ten children, of whom nine survived infancy. The family home was on a farm and the children grew up working with their parents and siblings to produce the food served on the dinner table. Bernice never married and lived in the family home her entire life.
By the date of the 1900 U.S. Census at the age of 17, Bernice's father had lost his own father and was working as a farm laborer while attending school. The next Census in 1910 listed Ward Randolph, age 26, as coal miner living with his mother and sister in Coal District, Harrison County, WV. The 1930 U.S. Census, at the beginning of The Great Depression, listed Ward Randolph, father of eight children, as a Foreman at a Coal Mine, and owner of his own home in Coal District, Harrison County, WV. This census included Bernice as Ward and Lula's 8-year-old daughter. By 1940, the family had retained ownership of their home and farm. Ward's occupation was listed as "carpenter" and eight of the children continued to live at the family home, including 18-year-old Bernice, who was working as a "clerk."
Bernice pursued a lengthy career as a bookkeeper for local businesses, including Akro Agate Company and Monongahela Hospital Service Company. After their father and mother passed away in 1962 and 1965, respectively, Bernice and her sister Ellen continued to live in the family home and to plant and harvest a large garden of vegetables. Bernice and Ellen would also host extended family gatherings at their home on holidays, with relatives contributing covered dishes and the entire crowd of old and young playing games on the lawn.
A faithful Christian, Bernice passed away on March 10, 2003, and was buried at O'Neil Cemetery in Wilsonburg, WV. Bernice was survived by her sisters Margaret, Ellen and Mary Lou, and by many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
AMG
By the date of the 1900 U.S. Census at the age of 17, Bernice's father had lost his own father and was working as a farm laborer while attending school. The next Census in 1910 listed Ward Randolph, age 26, as coal miner living with his mother and sister in Coal District, Harrison County, WV. The 1930 U.S. Census, at the beginning of The Great Depression, listed Ward Randolph, father of eight children, as a Foreman at a Coal Mine, and owner of his own home in Coal District, Harrison County, WV. This census included Bernice as Ward and Lula's 8-year-old daughter. By 1940, the family had retained ownership of their home and farm. Ward's occupation was listed as "carpenter" and eight of the children continued to live at the family home, including 18-year-old Bernice, who was working as a "clerk."
Bernice pursued a lengthy career as a bookkeeper for local businesses, including Akro Agate Company and Monongahela Hospital Service Company. After their father and mother passed away in 1962 and 1965, respectively, Bernice and her sister Ellen continued to live in the family home and to plant and harvest a large garden of vegetables. Bernice and Ellen would also host extended family gatherings at their home on holidays, with relatives contributing covered dishes and the entire crowd of old and young playing games on the lawn.
A faithful Christian, Bernice passed away on March 10, 2003, and was buried at O'Neil Cemetery in Wilsonburg, WV. Bernice was survived by her sisters Margaret, Ellen and Mary Lou, and by many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
AMG
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