Bernice Antoine Young was born December 21, 1930, in Iowa, Louisiana to Eugene and Ella Antoine of Mamou, Louisiana. She departed this life December 21, 2023, at her home in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

At the age of thirteen, Bernice accepted Christ and was baptized at Mount Calvary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. D.J. Jones. She was active in the choir and taught Sunday School. She loved the Lord and was a faithful church member. Bernice was a member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church for eighty years.

Bernice was joined in unity on February 5, 1955, to the late Sgt. John William Young in Lake, Charles, Louisiana. For n1any years she traveled the country with her husband as he served in the United States Air Force. They lived in many states, and she raised her children wherever John was stationed. Even when he was stationed in other countries, Bernice made a house a home for her family. She and John met people across the country who soon became life-long friends to them, They settled in Lake Charles, Louisiana where John retired from the military.

She worked at Sally Ann's Dept. Store, Lake Charles Medical and Surgical and she retired from S&M Bargain Store in 1996. Bernice made beautiful ceramics. This was a hobby she thoroughly enjoyed until her health failed. She also enjoyed reading, listening to music, spending time with her children and attending church.

Bernice was preceded in death by her parents, Eugene and Ella (Goodley) Antoine; her husband, Sgt. John Willian1 Young; her son, Mark William Young; her daughter, Billie Marie Gray; her granddaughter, Sydney Marie Gray; her brothers, Vincent Antoine, Ambrose Antoine, Nathan Antoine, Antonio Antoine and Russell Antoine; her sisters, Georgana Antoine, Idell Gordon, Adine Antoine, and Francis Pete.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her son, Kevin William Young of Lake Charles, Louisiana; her daughter, Tina Marie Lee of Beaumont Texas; one daughter-in-law, Andrea Young of Jacksonville, Florida; one brother, Eugene (Dominic) Antoine of Lafayette, Louisiana; one sister Betty (Patrick) Daniel of Moss Bluff, Louisiana; one brother-in-law, Paul Smith of Louisville, Kentucky; eight grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, one great- great grandchild and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Yellow was Bernice's favorite color. Yellow is the brightest color on the spectrum and the color of sunshine. It's associated with joy, happiness, intellect, self-dependency, and energy. A person that likes yellow is always great to have around because they can brighten your day and make you laugh. Bernice exuded what yellow represents. Her legacy is her generosity and giving to others without hesitation. Bernice was a ray of sunshine to many.