Edna Bernice Cates was born on June 21, 1929 to the late William Thomas Cates and Mollie Holcomb Cates.  Edna passed peacefully on February 15, 2026 in the home of her niece.  She was preceded in death by all of her siblings,  Homer Cates (Eva), L.C. Cates (Julietta), Thomas Cates, Jr., Beaufort Cates (Annie Mae), Fletcher Cates (Shirley), Bravell Cates (Dona), Bennie Mae Miller (James), Virginia Bobo (Lawrence), and Mildred Montgomery (Dusty).

Edna utilized her middle name and was known by all as Bernice.  She was also affectionately called BB.  Bernice has one living sister in law, Shirley Cates of Hartford Connecticut.  She also has a host of nieces and nephews.

Bernice attended Ben Bomer school in Inman.  She went on to college at Benedict but had to return home prior to completion due to the death of her father. Bernice relocated to Winston Salem, NC in the 1950's.  She worked as a housekeeper.  Bernice went to Lemay and became a beautician.   Bernice was also known as the freeze pop lady as she sold homemade freeze pops to the neighborhood children.

Bernice had a green thumb, and she loved her plants and planting flowers.  She enjoyed traveling and also made the best pound cake in this area.

BB never had children of her own, but she helped raise and support numerous family members.  She has had many titles, daughter, sister, aunt,  one of the Mothers of her church, friend and more.  But for many of us she was significantly more than a title.  She will live forever in our hearts, and we rejoice that she is resting well in the arms of the Lord.

A viewing will be held from 1:00pm until 5:00pm Sunday, February 22, 2026 at Russell Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00am Monday, February 23, 2026 at the Russell Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Parklawn Memorial Gardens. The family visitation will be held from 10:30am until 11:00am on Monday at the Chapel.