Bernice C. Burkey, 96, formerly of Murphysboro, passed away at 5:40 a.m. Thursday, June 18, 2020, at the Aiken Regional Medical Center, Aiken, SC. Bernice was born on September 12, 1923, in Clay County, Tennessee, to Buford Cherry and Bertha (Jones) Cherry. She was a homemaker. Mrs. Burkey was a long time member of Elm Street Baptist Church in Murphysboro. She was a member of the D.A.V. Ladies Auxiliary. Bernice married Paul Burkey on February 3, 1943 in Madison, Tennessee, and he preceded her in death on August 2, 2015. She is survived by three children DeAnn Lineberry of Richmond, VA, Richard A. Burkey and his wife Wanda Burkey of Wagener, SC, and Margaret Jane Burkey of Aiken, SC; three grandchildren Michael Burkey of Kingsport, TN, Stephanie Horsley and her husband Barry Horsley of Boynton Beach, FL, and Justin Lineberry of RIchmond, VA; two step grandchildren Beth Simmons, Aiken, SC and Ronald Henderson of Charleston, SC; five great grandchildren Kylie (Dylan) Smith, Grace Plette, Arden Plette, Ada Burkey, and Gibson Burkey; two great grandchildren Alexis Simmons and Naomi Simmons; and she had one great great granddaughter Emersyn Smith, who was born on Bernice's 95th birthday. She was preceded in death by one brother Harold "Minendell" Cherry and her parents. Gravesite services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 26, 2020, at Pleasant Grove Memorial Park with Rev. Charles Allen officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Elm Street Baptist Church. For more information, please visit www.pettettfuneralhome.com.