Bernice Fullilove Patin

Bernice Fullilove Patin, 91, of Groves passed away Wednesday, December 16, 2015 at The Medical Center of Southeast Texas. She was born May 4, 1924 in Carroll County, Mississippi to Charles Augustus Fullilove and Tammie Lishman Fullilove. She was a resident of Groves for 60 years. Her school days began in the Shady Grove School where she received her Eighth Grade Certificate from her mother. She graduated from Vaiden High School, Vaiden, MS; Holmes Jr. College, Goodman, MS; University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS with a Bachelor of Science degree; and a Master of Education degree in Counseling from the Mississippi State University in 1953. She taught school in Natchez, Grenada, and Greenwood, Mississippi. She was also a teacher at Taft Elementary School in Groves for a very short time before her illness of cancer. Bernice was always active in many churches. She was the G.A. director in the First Baptist Church, Natchez, MS and she taught in the Junior Department in the First Baptist Church, Groves for 13 years. She was a member of the First Baptist Church, Port Arthur since 1986 being faithful to attend Sunday School, Church and the Dudley Bible Study group. She was also a member of the Ladies Auxiliary VFW #4820 in Port Neches. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, December 18, 2015 at Levingston Funeral Home in Groves with Dr. Jim Hamilton of First Baptist Church, Port Arthur and Dr. Rick Erwin of Procter Baptist Church officiating. A private family burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Park. A visitation for family and friends will be Friday from 1:00 p.m. until service time at the funeral home. Bernice was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Emily Fullilove. She is survived by her wonderful husband of 60 years, John Patin, two sons, Frank C. Patin of Arbor Vitae, WI and Johnny G. Patin of Irving, TX. Friends wishing to make memorial contributions may send them to: First Baptist Church, 4401 Jimmy Johnson Blvd., Port Arthur, TX. 77642 or M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcomb Blvd., Houston, TX 77030.