Bernice M. Travis' Obituary
Bernice Marie Travis was born May 7, 1938, in Decatur Mississippi to the late Alberta Stewart and Joe Henry Steele. At a late age, Bernice confessed her faith in Jesus Christ and accepted him as her Lord and personal savior. Bernice was first a member of Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Westwood where she was a member for several years. She later moved her membership to Christ the Rock after moving to a new neighborhood. In February of 2009, she became a member of The Life Church where she went through Damascus Road emerging leadership training in 2011. She also served as a greeter. At The Life Church, she was affectionately known as “The Cake Lady”. (for her donations of Banana Nut Bread for new membership classes). Bernice found her church home at the Life Church where she served on two mission trips (One in Honduras and the other on Nashville TN). Bernice also led a small group and belong to two small groups herself. Bernice also served as a member of Salt and Light at The Life Church. Bernice was also an active member of an International Community Bible Study group which she attended online for several years prior to her health failing.
Bernice graduated from Wonder High School May 6, 1956, in West Memphis Arkansas. After several attempts for admission into local nursing school programs (denied due to her race), she relocated to Chicago Illinois where she was accepted into a nursing program for licensed professional nurses, she graduated in March of 1961. In Chicago, she worked at Cook County Hospital as a Licensed Practical Nurse.
Upon arrival and during her studies in Chicago, Illinois, she met the love of her life Bobby L. Travis. After dating for four years, they were united in matrimony on February 19, 1960. To this union Bernice and Bob were blessed with three children, Renee’, Ronald & Rowland. In 1966, they decided to relocate their family to Memphis, Tennessee.
After many years of working as a LPN, Bernice decided to go back to school and while raising a family, she completed the requirements of becoming a Registered Nurse from East Arkansas Community College in May of 1979. She retired from Baptist Memorial Hospital after working there 45 years in many different areas of the hospital. She was the first African American nurse to work in the ICU.
Bernice departed from this life on the morning of November 20, 2025. She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband of 66 years Bobby Travis; her three biological children Alicia Renee’ Plunkett (Cedric), Ronald Maurice Travis (Carnon), Rowland Lamont Travis (Doria) and a bonus daughter Lori Ray. She also leaves nine grandchildren: Christopher, Correy (Alycia), Keneisha, Jordan (Jasmine), Kebrina (Jeremy) Chaz, Raven Michael & Derek. She also leaves seven great grandchildren: Jayce, Chri’, Kyzer, Cadence, Kalani, Anaya & Rizo.
Her celebration of life will be held at The Life Church located at 255 North Highland Street, Memphis TN 38111 Tuesday December 2, 2025, at 11 am.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38119 (901) 767-8930. “Where Memphis comes to remember, since 1924.
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