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BORN
1926
DIED
2025
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Bernice Fox Obituary
July 10, 1926 - June 11, 2025
Tacoma, Washington - Bernice (Rutledge-Thomas) Fox died peacefully at home, listening to scripture, covered by a Seahawks blanket on Tuesday June 11, 2025, at the age of 98. She was born to Mattie (Rutledge) and John D. Thomas, Jr in Northport, Alabama and graduated from Tuscaloosa County Training School in 1943.
She migrated to Tacoma, Washington in 1944, where she attended Beutel Business College, acquiring secretarial, bookkeeping, and business administration skills. She utilized these skills at Madigan Army Medical Center, Fort Lewis, Washington for a total of 29 years, retiring in 1986. She enjoyed working with staff and doctors in a health-caring environment.
Bernice was united in marriage to Richard K. Fox, Sr. in 1947 and two children were born to this union: Richard, Jr. and Patricia. Bernice and Richard celebrated 50 years of marriage before his passing in 1997. She was a homemaker and loving mother, proud grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a very active member of St. Leo School's Mothers' Club, and was a member and served on the Board of Philomathea at Bellarmine High School.
Bernice was a devoted member of St. Leo Church, serving on the Pastoral Council and various committees and boards. She was a member and officer of the local, state and national Auxiliaries of the United States Postal Services Clerks', Supervisors', and Postmasters', organizations.
Bernice was preceded in death by her husband Richard, and her parents, John and Mattie. To cherish her memory, she leaves her children, Richard, Jr. and Patricia; two grandchildren, Aaron (Krista) and Cecily, two great-grandchildren, Aquila (Tiffany) and Kaysha; a special daughter, Melinda, and a loving host of Thomas and Rutledge relatives; many godchildren, her St. Leo Church family, her Seahawkers, and a host of friends.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Bernice Fox
Sponsored by Gaffney Funeral Home.
Gerald Garitano.
June 29, 2025
Dear Fox Family,
All of our Memories Of Mrs. Fox was her Daily and Constant presence at St. Leo's School. She gave So much Time and Effort to Support the Children who Luckily attended this school. She always had a Smile for everyone. She graciously Loved Everyone! She will always be in Our Memories. Her daughter, Patricia was in my class. She was very much like her Mother. Mrs. Fox was a Very Special Person. We all know that her Reward from God was a Seat right next to Him. She will always RIP.
Arcenia Carl Fox (Costeen) nephew
June 19, 2025
I´ll love you forever. You and PaPa fought me how to grow my own collard greens and so much more. Love ya Costeen
Rose M Berger
June 19, 2025
I have lots of fun memories with Mrs Fox. She was our campfire leader at St Leo´s after school. Always asking about you when you would see her later in life. I Judy love this beautiful woman. Gentle and loving woman.
Bette Yeager Miller
June 18, 2025
Bernice was sort of the matriarch of our parish of St. Leo the Great. She was the sweetest, most caring member & everyone missed her on the rare weekends when she could not attend Mass. She was a very good friend, & fellow Mother's Club member, of our mom's & my younger sisters were in the same grades as Bernice's children. Whenever we met up at St. Leo, often, she had only sweet things to say about my mom, Madeline. She was/is well-loved and will be well-missed.
Pecola L. Colby
June 18, 2025
To my wonderful Friend Bernice of more than fifty (50) years. Today my heart is broken. Thank you for the love, cards, and memories we shared via the hairdresser. May your soul find peace as you rest in the Father's arms.
All My Love,
Pecola (Pedi) Colby
Olympia, WA 98516
Audra Keele
June 18, 2025
Grandma Fox...... we will miss you dearly and your sweet spirit will always be a reminder of what a wonderful example you are to us all even in the afterlife.
With all my love and prayers, Audra, Tjoe, Marin, Sophia, Yuki and Opie
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