Bernice H. Keene

April 9, 1923 - December 23, 2019

Bernice Evelyn Humphries (Keene) was born in Bessemer, Alabama on April 9, 1923. She was the elder daughter and second child of five children born to the marriage of Lila (Binion) Humphries and Isaiah Humphries. In 1945, she graduated from Tuskegee Institute with a Bachelor's degree in Education, becoming the first member of her family to graduate from college. While attending Tuskegee, she met and married Cecil B. Keene in 1943. Their union lasted sixty-five years and ended with Cecil's passing in 2008. Bernice began her career in the 1945-46 school year as an elementary school teacher in Bessemer, Alabama. It is interesting to note that during her 13-year tenure as a teacher in Alabama, the house she was born in was subsequently purchased by the Bessemer Public School Board and she taught classes for several years in her early childhood home. In 1958, Bernice and husband Cecil obtained employment with the Pinellas County School System and relocated to Florida. She initially taught at Ridgecrest Elementary School in Largo and later at Perkins Elementary School in St. Petersburg. Bernice retired with over 40 years of combined teaching experience from both Alabama and Florida. During her career, she earned the respect of students, parents and coworkers for her strong dedication to student academic achievement. Bernice enjoyed card games, dancing and traveling both in the States and overseas. She was a member of the American Business Women Association, Retired Officers' Wives Club, and Silhouettes of Kappa Alpha Psi. Most importantly, she served as a caregiver for both her husband Cecil and her father Isaiah. In addition, she was always there to provide guidance and support for her granddaughters. Early Monday morning, December 23, 2019, Bernice at age 96 passed in her sleep from late stage dementia. She is survived by her sons, Cecil Jr., Chauncey and Cedric; and her younger sister Marilyn; and an extended family and a host of friends.