Bernice P. Arey, 80


Bernice Pope Arey, 80, of Harrisonburg Va., died Sunday May 11, 2008, at Oak Lea Nursing Home following a short illness.

Mrs. Arey was born in Brandywine, W.Va., on Dec. 19, 1927, and was the daughter of the late Roy P. and Naomi M. (Swauger) Pope.

She graduated from Franklin, (West Virginia) High School and attended Madison College in Harrisonburg. In her earlier years, she had worked at Kawneer, Walker Manufacturing and Wampler Foods in addition to helping on the family farm. She lived most of her life on the farm, located on the east side of Little North Mountain. She had made her home with her daughter, Sharon, on a portion of the farm since 1995.

One of Bernice’s greatest loves was her home state of West Virginia and all her friends and acquaintances there. She was also known for her cooking ability, preparing big meals for farm hands, friends, and family in her large kitchen on the family farm.

She was a lifelong and faithful member of Mt. Bethel Church of the Brethren in Lilly and was a member of the Homebuilders Sunday School Class. Bernice was also a member of the Carl D. Lee VFW Post 9872 Ladies Auxiliary. She loved her friends and group at Singers Glen Senior Citizens. While her health permitted, she enjoyed traveling and had visited Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Alaska, Hawaii and numerous other places in the continental United States.

In 1948, she married Stanford Eagle Arey, who preceded her in death on Oct. 15, 1990.

Surviving family members include two daughters, Sharon Showalter and husband, Richard, of Harrisonburg, Yvonne Michael and husband, James, of Elkton; two sons, Greg Arey and wife, Connie, of Harrisonburg, Tony Arey and wife, Linda, of Harrisonburg; one brother, Roy Pope Jr. of Timberville; 16 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Arey was preceded in death by two brothers, James and Bob Pope.

A graveside service will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Eastlawn Memorial Gardens.

The Rev. John Jantzi will conduct a memorial service Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Mt. Bethel Church of the Brethren.

The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6 until 8 at McMullen Funeral Home, Harrisonburg.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Mt. Bethel Church of the Brethren, 8550 Robinson Road, Dayton, VA 22821.