On June 22, 2024, Bernice Bryan, born Bernice Hester, celebrated her 100th birthday, surrounded by friends and loved ones.
Born on June 22, 1924, in Orange, Texas, Bernice’s early life was marked by her adoption as an infant. Her journey took her from the small town of Orange, Texas, to the city of Houston, where she built a family and a career.
In Houston, Bernice married Thirl Whitworth, with whom she had two children: a daughter, Linda Mixon, and a son, Thirl Jr. Both Linda and Thirl Jr. have since passed away, with Thirl Jr. dying in 1986.
After her divorce from Thirl Whitworth, Bernice found love again with Ira Bryan. The couple shared many years together until Ira’s passing in 1991.
Bernice worked as a secretary at NASA, dedicating herself to her role until her retirement at the remarkable age of 86.
Throughout her life, Bernice has been blessed with a loving family. She has three grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and 11 great-great-grandchildren.
For many years, Bernice resided in Dickinson, Texas, before moving to Liberty in 2016. This year, on Saturday, June 22, her family gathered to celebrate her 100th birthday. Despite facing the challenges of dementia, Bernice’s milestone birthday was a joyous celebration of her life.