[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 90 (Tuesday, June 24, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1305]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN LOVING MEMORY OF BERNICE IVY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 24, 1997

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to your attention the 
loving memory of Bernice Ivy of Paterson, NJ.
  Bernice was born in Pavo, GA on October 11, 1928 and departed this 
life after a long illness on Thursday morning June 12, 1997. She was 
third eldest of nine children born to James and Dora Thompson. In 1928 
while still an infant, her family moved to Florida where Bernice was 
raised and educated, attending Carver High School of Delray Beach, FL.
  In 1946, Bernice married James Henry Ivy, Sr. of West Palm Beach, FL 
and 13 children were born from their union. The couple resided in 
Florida a few years before moving their young family to Paterson, NJ in 
1954. It was there that they first began their work in the ministry 
pastoring a small church--the Church of God on River Street, Paterson. 
With fervent spirit, the young couple became well-known in town as they 
ministered in meetings on the streets of Paterson, proclaiming Christ 
and evangelizing the lost to the Kingdom of God. Later, they joined 
Faith Tabernacle Church of God in Christ, renamed Gilmore Memorial 
Church of God in Christ, pastored by the late Bishop Clarence and Dr. 
Arlene Gilmore. They were faithful members for 29 years.
  In 1962, Bernice's interest in hair care led her to pursue an 
education in cosmetology, enrolling in the Scotts Beauty School of 
Newark, NJ. Later, she obtained gainful employment at the North Jersey 
Training School for the mentally handicapped for nearly 25 years. 
Failing health forced here retirement in 1989.
  In November of 1990, Bernice and her husband James relocated back to 
Delray Beach, FL, where they moved their church membership to Sutton 
Chapel Church of God in Christ. Bernice returned to Paterson in July 
1996 for vacation, but failing health prevented her return home to 
Florida.
  The Reverend and Mrs. Ivy had one of the biggest families in their 
church. It was common knowledge that their trusted station wagon 
usually made two trips on Sunday.

  As a loving wife, wonderful mother, daughter, sister, and friend, 
Bernice leaves to mourn a husband of 50 years, the Rev. James H. Ivy, 
Sr.; three sons--Collious and Timothy Ivy of Paterson and Calvin Ivy of 
Boston; six daughters--Paulette Williams and Bernice La Vonda Lockhart 
of Florida, Vanessa Dale Wilder, Alicia Marie Ivy, Kathy Ann 
Kuykendall, and Denise L. Coba, all of Paterson; 33 grandchildren and 9 
great-grandchildren; 3 daughters-in law--Donna Ivy, Elaine Ivy, Velda 
Ivy; 5 sons-in-law--the Rev. Jerry Wilder, the Rev. James Kuykendall, 
Bill Coba, Reggie Lockhart, and Jerome Williams; her mother--Dora 
Thompson; 1 aunt--Dinah Mae Hayword; 4 sisters--Pearline Famon and 
Juanita Tripp of Paterson, Carol Pittman of California, and Willie Mae 
Wilson of Florida; 1 brother--Danny Thompson of Paterson; 8 sisters-in-
law--Ella, Colinthia, Agnes, Jewel, Janie, Elmora, Shirley and Dorothy; 
5 brothers-in-law--Sonny, Raymond, George, Eddie and Chuck; nieces, 
nephews and a host of relatives and friends.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me, our colleagues, Bernice's loving 
family and friends, and the city of Paterson in remembering the 
kindness of Bernice Ivy and extolling her memory.

                          ____________________