Bernice Heatley

Bernice Polite Heatley peacefully made the transition to her heavenly home on Thursday October 24th. She was born to Isaiah Polite and Janie Greene Polite on August 19, 1924 in Sheldon, one of the most popular little towns in Beaufort County, South Carolina. She grew up and was educated in the Sheldon school system. Looking for a better opportunity she headed north to New York in 1947. When looking for a home church she was led to the Mt. Hope A.M.E. Zion church by others who migrated from Sheldon, South Carolina. She started attending Mt. Hope in 1951 and transferred her membership from Spring Hill A.M.E. Church in Sheldon to Mt. Hope. It was there that she met and married Jacob Heatley in 1956 , and from that union two daughters were born, Beverly and Janice.

During her adulthood, Bernice felt the desire to help others and went back to school to get a certificate in home health care nursing. Her first love was her passion for cooking which led her to become a caterer. She worked wonders in the kitchen as well as taking many under her wing to teach them culinary skills.

Bernice began greeting and seating in the church when she was a little girl at Spring Hill A.M.E. Church. She continued to be deeply involved in the usher’s movement throughout Westchester County and New York. She brought a warm greeting every Sunday to those entering the sanctuary. During her life as an usher she was president of the Mount Hope Senior Usher Board for 30 years, retiring in 2009. Within the Westchester Ushers Assembly she was president of the President’s Council, instructor for President’s Council, Trustee, and Member of the Board of Directors. She remained an active Class Leader and was Recording Secretary of the local Lay Council as well as a member of the Westchester District Lay Council until the time of her death.

Bernice enjoyed cooking, traveling, crossword and word search puzzles. She was a confidant, mentor, teacher, friend and mother to many. She would always say that she is not one for home visits but she always visited her class members and friends over the telephone.

She leaves two daughters, Beverly (Ft. Myers, FL) and Janice (White Plains, NY); one grandson, Vernon Edwards (Randolf, NJ); godson, Gary Johnson (Lilesville, NC); a host of nieces, nephews and surrogate children. She will truly be missed and treasured by many.

Bernice is predeceased by her husband Jacob, one sister Rosalie Gooding, and brother Isaiah Polite, Jr.

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If desired, the family appreciates either flowers, or contributions in her memory to the Mt. Hope Sr. Usher Board, c/o Mt. Hope AME Zion Church, 65 Lake Street, White Plains, NY 10604.