Bernita Elaine Rayford-Kershaw Jamaica, New York Obituary

Bernita Elaine Rayford-Kershaw

<p>Bernita Elaine Rayford-Kershaw was born on February 19, 1956 to Bernard and Maxine Giles on Governors Island, NY. Bernita had a brother, Bernard Giles Jr., all preceded her in death. Bernita lived in Harlem, NY until she was around 5 years old when she and her family moved to Springfield Gardens, NY to be close to her grandmother Hattie Abernathy. Bernita was primarily educated in the NYC Public Schools but briefly went to T Wingate Andrews High School in High Point North Carolina. She enjoyed going to school in NC and especially being with her cousins, but Bernita missed her mother, father and grandmother. Bernita returned to NY where she attended Delahanty High School in Jamaica NY. During her time at Delahanty High School she met Darryl Rayford, (her first husband), and graduated from Delahanty High School in June of 1974. </p><p><br></p><p>Bernita and Darryl married on November 20, 1976 at Calvary Baptist Church. They moved to Tacoma, Washington and on January 20,1978 their first child, Duena Wichele, was born. Later, they moved back to NY and on August 1, 1980, Darnell Edwin was born. Unfortunately, Darryl Rayford preceded her in death. </p><p><br></p><p>On October 16, 1996 Bernita married Morris Kershaw in Reidsville, NC. They met at a basketball game in high school in North Carolina and rekindled their love later in life. They would eventually separate but maintain a friendship until her passing. </p><p><br></p><p>In April of 2019, Bernita met her soulmate Edwin Jones. They enjoyed being silly, date nights, and traveling. Edwin took very good care of Bernita during her illness and until her passing. Bernita’s family will forever be grateful to Edwin for the love he had for Bernita. </p><p><br></p><p>Bernita joined the New York City Police in 1989. She began her career as PAA at the 110th precinct. After leaving the 110th precinct she spent the rest of her career at the Applicant’s Processing Division, where she was promoted to Investigator. On December 10, 2019 Bernita was presented with a plaque and NYPD sapphire Pendant for serving 30 years. Bernita was extremely proud of being an investigator and enjoyed helping many relatives and friends find careers within the NYPD. After falling ill, Bernita retired from the NYPD on October 1, 2020. </p><p><br></p><p>On June 21, 2008 Bernita joined Calvary Baptist Church and she served on the Hospitality Ministry. Bernita was a member of many organizations, such as the NYPD Guardians Association, Boy Scout Troop 125, the EHB Democratic Club and the Eastern Stars. </p><p><br></p><p>Bernita will be remembered as a fun-loving person with the biggest heart. Bernita had many special talents, such as her amazing gift-wrapping skills and sense of direction. She was often called a human GPS. Bernita was also known for making fantastic Macaroni and Cheese, a popular request from friends and family. In addition, Bernita loved to dance and enjoyed attending many dances. Her cousins often talk about a time in North Carolina when they snuck out the house with a few friends, pushed the car down the street, and went driving. Boy they got in trouble.</p><p><br></p><p>Bernita leaves to cherish her memory, her daughter Duena Parker (Sean) </p><p>of Murfreesboro, her son Darnell Rayford (Karin) of Wheatley Heights, NY; Edwin Jones and Morris Kershaw, Grandsons: Jayden Rayford and Phillip Parker Jr.; Granddaughters: Grace Parker and Madison Rayford. Sister in Laws: Debra Martin (Robert), Donna Rayford-Wells (Soncearay), Brenda Perkins (Charles) and Renessa Eaves. Nephews: Desean Whitehurst (Alvina) and John Hanton III. Nieces: Kourtney Rayford, Justine and Janelle Hanton. Stepdaughters: Tonya Kershaw and Necole Taylor. </p><p>Her Aunts: Dorothy Esdaile, Rose Giles, Marion Ammons, Barbara Giles and Mamie Jones. Uncles: Samuel and Andrew Giles.</p><p>Her cousins Deborah, Jerry, Kim and Angelica Bradley, Holly Ammons, Kim Esdaile, Michele James, Lillie (David) and Mercedes Murchison-Hunt. Godfather John E. Walker; Her friends: Diane Van Eyken, Dianne Kelley, Valerie Portis, Kristine Driscoll (Jimmy), Betzy Toro (Marty), Lillian Santamaria (Fausto) Amparo Irizarry (Bruce) Lazetta Duncan Moore, Laprena Harrison (Rodney), Brenda Cooper, Charlene Parker (Allan) Marlene Brooks (Skip) Natasha Walker (Corey), Louise Bromell (Harold), Sherri Reddy and Haneefah Saleem. Her Godchildren Tarsha Aird (Kwasai) Anthony (Diahanna) and Tyrome (Andrana) Bradley. Along with many relatives and friends. Bernita will be missed by all!</p><p><br></p><p>Lovingly submitted by The Family.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>The family of the late Bernita Rayford- Kershaw wish our deepest appreciation for every act of kindness, friendship and love shown to us during our time of sorrow. May God keep you in his care.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>
January 9, 202101/09/2021
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Bernita Elaine Rayford-Kershaw was born on February 19, 1956 to Bernard and Maxine Giles on Governors Island, NY. Bernita had a brother, Bernard Giles Jr., all preceded her in death. Bernita lived in Harlem, NY until she was around 5 years old when she and her family moved to Springfield Gardens, NY to be close to her grandmother Hattie Abernathy. Bernita was primarily educated in the NYC Public Schools but briefly went to T Wingate Andrews High School in High Point North Carolina. She enjoyed going to school in NC and especially being with her cousins, but Bernita missed her mother, father and grandmother. Bernita returned to NY where she attended Delahanty High School in Jamaica NY. During her time at Delahanty High School she met Darryl Rayford, (her first husband), and graduated from Delahanty High School in June of 1974.


Bernita and Darryl married on November 20, 1976 at Calvary Baptist Church. They moved to Tacoma, Washington and on January 20,1978 their first child, Duena Wichele, was born. Later, they moved back to NY and on August 1, 1980, Darnell Edwin was born. Unfortunately, Darryl Rayford preceded her in death.


On October 16, 1996 Bernita married Morris Kershaw in Reidsville, NC. They met at a basketball game in high school in North Carolina and rekindled their love later in life. They would eventually separate but maintain a friendship until her passing.


In April of 2019, Bernita met her soulmate Edwin Jones. They enjoyed being silly, date nights, and traveling. Edwin took very good care of Bernita during her illness and until her passing. Bernita’s family will forever be grateful to Edwin for the love he had for Bernita.


Bernita joined the New York City Police in 1989. She began her career as PAA at the 110th precinct. After leaving the 110th precinct she spent the rest of her career at the Applicant’s Processing Division, where she was promoted to Investigator. On December 10, 2019 Bernita was presented with a plaque and NYPD sapphire Pendant for serving 30 years. Bernita was extremely proud of being an investigator and enjoyed helping many relatives and friends find careers within the NYPD. After falling ill, Bernita retired from the NYPD on October 1, 2020.


On June 21, 2008 Bernita joined Calvary Baptist Church and she served on the Hospitality Ministry. Bernita was a member of many organizations, such as the NYPD Guardians Association, Boy Scout Troop 125, the EHB Democratic Club and the Eastern Stars.


Bernita will be remembered as a fun-loving person with the biggest heart. Bernita had many special talents, such as her amazing gift-wrapping skills and sense of direction. She was often called a human GPS. Bernita was also known for making fantastic Macaroni and Cheese, a popular request from friends and family. In addition, Bernita loved to dance and enjoyed attending many dances. Her cousins often talk about a time in North Carolina when they snuck out the house with a few friends, pushed the car down the street, and went driving. Boy they got in trouble.


Bernita leaves to cherish her memory, her daughter Duena Parker (Sean)

of Murfreesboro, her son Darnell Rayford (Karin) of Wheatley Heights, NY; Edwin Jones and Morris Kershaw, Grandsons: Jayden Rayford and Phillip Parker Jr.; Granddaughters: Grace Parker and Madison Rayford. Sister in Laws: Debra Martin (Robert), Donna Rayford-Wells (Soncearay), Brenda Perkins (Charles) and Renessa Eaves. Nephews: Desean Whitehurst (Alvina) and John Hanton III. Nieces: Kourtney Rayford, Justine and Janelle Hanton. Stepdaughters: Tonya Kershaw and Necole Taylor.

Her Aunts: Dorothy Esdaile, Rose Giles, Marion Ammons, Barbara Giles and Mamie Jones. Uncles: Samuel and Andrew Giles.

Her cousins Deborah, Jerry, Kim and Angelica Bradley, Holly Ammons, Kim Esdaile, Michele James, Lillie (David) and Mercedes Murchison-Hunt. Godfather John E. Walker; Her friends: Diane Van Eyken, Dianne Kelley, Valerie Portis, Kristine Driscoll (Jimmy), Betzy Toro (Marty), Lillian Santamaria (Fausto) Amparo Irizarry (Bruce) Lazetta Duncan Moore, Laprena Harrison (Rodney), Brenda Cooper, Charlene Parker (Allan) Marlene Brooks (Skip) Natasha Walker (Corey), Louise Bromell (Harold), Sherri Reddy and Haneefah Saleem. Her Godchildren Tarsha Aird (Kwasai) Anthony (Diahanna) and Tyrome (Andrana) Bradley. Along with many relatives and friends. Bernita will be missed by all!


Lovingly submitted by The Family.



The family of the late Bernita Rayford- Kershaw wish our deepest appreciation for every act of kindness, friendship and love shown to us during our time of sorrow. May God keep you in his care.









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Events

Jan
25
Visitation
Monday, January 25 2021
05:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Paul Lane Funeral Home, Inc.
115-33 Sutphin Boulevard
Jamaica, NY 11434
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We Are Requesting That Attendance At The Viewing Be Limited To 40 People.
Jan
26
Service
Tuesday, January 26 2021
11:00 AM
Paul Lane Funeral Home, Inc.
115-33 Sutphin Boulevard
Jamaica, NY 11434
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The Eastern Star Ceremony Will Take Place At 10:30 AM. THIS IS AN INVITATION ONLY PRIVATE FUNERAL.THE FAMILY WILL EXTEND INVITATIONS TO THOSE WHO MAY COME. The Funeral Service Will Be Shown On Livestream For Those Not In Attendance.
Final Resting Place
Pinelawn Memorial Park
Wellwood Avenue
FARMINGDALE, NY 11735
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