On November 3, 1939 a beautiful baby girl was born to Watson Harden and Rosie Lee Harrison-Harden, whom they named Berneice Harden and was affectionately known as “Dorothy”. She was raised and grounded in the word of God. As a child, Dorothy united with The New Light Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. L.W. Phifer. It was there she started her singing career, which she loved dearly. She was influenced to sing by her paternal grandmother Gertrude Harden and step father: Sidney Reece. In later years she united with Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in 1985, (First New Friendship) under the leadership of Pastor Larry T. Hall and present pastor, Rev. Ronald Eagleton. She was a faithful member, sharing her melodious voice in the Sanctuary Choir, lead vocalist and serving as President of the Culinary Ministry, where the best food in Texas was served.
Berneice (Dorothy) received her formal education from Lincoln Elementary School-Coldspring Oakhurst ISD and I.M. Terrell High School, Ft. Worth, Texas, where she received her high school diploma, graduating at the top of her class. Upon graduating she competed Beauty School and became a licensed cosmetologist. Later she attended Sam Houston State University, studying Food Service Management.
Berneice was employed with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice over 28 years, becoming one of the first black women to work in a Texas Women Penal Intuition. Where she acquired the rank of Sergeant-Foodservice Manager Supervisor II.
Berneice married the love of her life Raymond Tucker, Sr. after moving to Goodyear, Arizona for 14 years. They decided to return home to Texas in April of 2020.
Berneice was a loving and caring person who didn’t mind picking up the phone to check on you, which portrayed a special love for others. This made her a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-granny and sister.
Berneice departed this life December 16, 2020 at 2:50 p.m. a golden heart stopped and crossed over to live with her Lord and Savior. She was preceded in death by her mother: Rosie Lee Reece, father: Watson Harden; step-father: Sidney Reece; brothers: Grover C. Reece, Powell F. Reece and George Todd Jones; sister: Robbie Mae Reece Williams; maternal grandparents: Rosure and Mary Harrison; paternal grandparents: Watson and Gertrude Harden and mother-in-law: Willie Mae Tucker.
Berneice leaves to cherish her memories, husband: Raymond Tucker Sr., mother: Dorothy Harden; loving daughters: Gerlinith (a.k.a. Neat)-(Gene) and Mona (Geroderick); son: Dr. Raymond Tucker Jr. (Keila); grandchildren: Tamika (Rick)- (whom she raised); Donald (Kanetra), Stephanie (Gerald), Mashalla, Michael (Dominique) and Christopher; twelve great-grandchildren: aunts: Mary Burnett and Addie Hall; god-son: Dwelvin Oliphant (Sheronda); god-daughter: Estina Craft; sisters: Essie Frazier, Cornelia (Booker), Oneda (Tobe), Jewel (Chris), Dina and Emma Louise (Harold); brothers: Donald (Barbra), Thomas, Watt L. Harden (Karen) and Cade; special love for her adopted son: Pastor Ronald Eagleton; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.