Bernice (McNulty) Offord

(Due to Covid-19 concerns, all who attend the Funeral Service are REQUIRED to wear a face mask and practice social distancing)

Bernice McNulty was born on April 20, 1925, to the late Mollie Reid McNulty, and Benjamin McNulty in York, SC. She married the late Columbus Offord and bore three children: Veda, Anthony, and Kenneth Offord. She also had 2 special sons, the late Columbus Offord, II who resided in Alabama, and Bert Boyd who resided in Ohio. She was also preceded in death by nephew Dennis McNulty (Bertha), and all of her siblings: Ada McNulty Benton, Christine McNulty, Benjamin McNulty (Keturah), Bennie Keene (Ronald) and Jesse Roberson.

Bernice was a graduate of Stephens-Lee High School. She worked as a seamstress at Kellwood and Banner House, and ultimately retired as a domestic worker. She always put family first and unselfishly served in multiple capacities. She was a lifelong member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church where she served faithfully on the Hospitality Committee, the Welcome Committee and the West Wing. She also was a member of the Flint Street neighborhood club. Bernice was the last link in the Flint Street community. She was faithful in caring for her siblings, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She received a proclamation from the City of Asheville on her 96th birthday, officially declaring it “Bernice Offord Day.” She lived to be the oldest member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church to date.

Bernice had a passion for life and didn’t allow any grass to grow under her feet. She was extremely independent, and full of spunk and feistiness up until her final hours on earth. She was a Virtuous Woman, who was not afraid to share her voice and opinion. She sought out excellence in all she accomplished. She was the glue that kept our family on track.

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter Veda (her caregiver) and her son Kenneth Offord (caregiver) (Asheville), Bert Boyd (Ohio), and a special niece whom she helped raise Bridget McNulty Jones, niece Dawn Keene (MD), nephews Ronald Keene (Michelle), Benjamin McNulty II (Margaret), Kevin McNulty (Bessie), and Gordon Roberson, and niece Bertha McNulty.

Her legacy includes her grandchildren Greg Offord, faithful granddaughters Pam Miles (James), Nicole Offord and Tymeko Mills, great-grandsons Darius Cooper (Victoria), Kobe Miles, Kendall Jones as well as a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephew David Whitesides (Rochelle) and cousins all from SC.

A special thank you to her caregiving team: Mrs. Roberta Pearcy, Sharon Ann Mapp and Delores Boseman. We could not have carried out her wishes to stay at home without them.

A Funeral Service to honor the life of Mrs. Offord will be held on Saturday, June 25, 2022 at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church (47 Eagle Street) at 11am. Burial will immediately follow the service at Violet Hill Cemetery. Viewing will be held at Avery's Memorial Chapel on Friday, June 24th from 12pm - 7pm.

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