January 15, 1931 ~ February 2, 2024 (age 93)
William Bernice Gerald, age 93, of Tabor City, NC, died Friday, February 2, 2024 in Brightwater Skilled Nursing Center, Myrtle Beach, SC. Born January 15, 1931 in Horry County, SC, he was the son of the late William Henry Gerald and Ollie Gilmore Gerald and the widower of Barbara Wayne Hayes Gerald.
He was a veteran of the United States Army.
Bernice loved his community and served it well. He volunteered his time in Economic Development, Committee of 100 , Red Devil Club, running the clock at football games for many years, Lions Club, ABC Chairman, Tabor City Town Library, and many others. He enjoyed helping neighbors become homeowners and business owners through his position at Cooperative Savings & Loan where he worked for over thirty years. He attended Tabor City Baptist Church and served in rebuilding the sanctuary after it burned and many other roles. He was a Lifetime Deacon there.
He is survived by one daughter, Kathy Gerald Stocks and husband Mark of Tabor City, NC; one son, Russell Gerald and wife Melody of Raleigh, NC; three grandchildren, Emily Tomasik and husband Tyler of Chapel Hill, NC, Mary Olivia Gerald of Raleigh, NC, and Grayson Stocks of Raleigh, NC; and two great grandchildren, Shepherd Hayes Tomasik, and Addison Vera Tomasik.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Audie Gerald, Herman Gerald; and six sisters, Leatha Tyler, Velma Booth, Delessie Tyler, Osroe Causey, Alberta Causey, and LaDena Dorsey.
Funeral services will be held Monday, February 5, 2024 at 2:00 PM in the Tabor City Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the Cane Branch Cemetery, Loris, SC.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service in the church.
A service of Inman Ward Funeral Home & Crematory.
