Mrs. Bernice Collins was born December 15, 1939 in Washington, DC to Walter and Jessie Cain. On Sunday, March 12, 2017, the heavenly angels peacefully guided Bernice into the Master's Kingdom to rest.

Bernice attended the public schools in Washington, DC and was a member of New Canaan Baptist Church where her parents were two of the founding members. While living in Washington, she married William Beale, Jr. and to this union three children were born.  She later married Ples Collins and they relocated to Winston-Salem, NC where she joined the Shiloh Baptist Church, serving as chairperson of the Kitchen Committee and worked with the Clothing Bank Ministry until her health failed.

Bernice was preceded in death by her parents and one brother.

She leaves precious memories to be cherished by her devoted husband, Ples Collins of the home; two daughters, Charlane (William) Nichols of Winston-Salem, NC, Donnita (Eric) Jackson of Broken Arrow, OK; five sons, William (LaQuinia) Beale, III of Forestville, MD, Marcus (Marketia) Collins and Bruce (Kim) Collins of Virginia, Benjamin (Phyllis) Collins and Ronald (Rose) Collins of Maryland; two sisters, Arlillian Cain of Washington, DC, Doris Sneed of Mitchellville, MD; a play daughter, Barbara Jones of Washington, DC; Godson, George Blocker, Washington, DC; Godmother, Emma Tompkins, Washington, DC; nineteen grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00noon Saturday, March 18, 2017 at the Russell Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Esther Evans, officiating. Interment will follow in Parklawn Memorial Park. The family visitation will be held from 11:00am until 12:00noon on Saturday at the Chapel.