Bernice Elizabeth Avent Sandy, 97, died peacefully in her home on Monday night, August 3, 2020. Born January 8, 1923, in Hickory Valley, Tennessee, to Samuel Walter and Hester Ophelia Callahan Avent, her family relocated later to Vildo, Tennessee. Bernice came to Corinth in 1939 to help support her parents during the Great Depression. Her first job was working at Weaver Pants Factory where she became an expert seamstress. After moving to Memphis, she became a telephone operator with Southern Bell Telephone Company, a job she dearly loved.
While in Corinth, Bernice met her future husband, Milton Larimore Sandy, Sr. On October 2, 1943, Milton traveled to Memphis with a marriage license in hand hoping that Bernice would accept his proposal of marriage. The two were married later that day in Olive Branch, MS, and returned to Corinth to make their home at 906 Kilpatrick Street and begin their 65 year marriage. Throughout her life, Bernice was known for her beauty and strikingly intense red hair, which she shared in varying degrees with each of her children.
Growing up on a farm left a lifetime impression on her character, as she loved gardening and eagerly looked forward to Spring each year. Hundreds of seeds and bulbs she planted return each year and remind her children of their mother. A wonderful cook and hostess, Bernice provided endless enjoyable meals and memories to her family and friends. Bernice loved painting but never found a leisure time activity that gave her the personal satisfaction that she received from work, care and devotion to her family.
Bernice served as a leader for her children’s Scout groups and was very active in the Cruise Street Elementary School PTA activities. A lifetime member, she faithfully attended First United Methodist Church. Along with her friends, she helped found a Canasta Club lasting 50 years. She was the last surviving member. Under her two term leadership as President of the Magnolia Hospital Auxiliary, known as the Pink Ladies, the organization accepted its first male volunteer. With her husband, she participated in many activities of the Lions Club and Gideons.
Survivors include her son Milton Larrimore Sandy, Jr. of Corinth, daughters Patricia Marie Sandy Wood of Dallas, Texas, and Suzanne Avent Sandy of Corinth; her daughter-in-law Catherine Isiminger Sandy of Oxford, MS; a sister Margaret Marie Vincent of Villa Rica, GA; a brother Benjamin Pope Avent (Beatrice) of Michie, TN; a sister-in-law Nadine Avent(Jim), Bolivar, TN; her grand children David Milton Sandy of Corinth, Robert Grant Wood (Kay) and Sandy Ashburn Wood of Dallas, TX; great grand children, Anne Marie Pender Wood, Elizabeth Ashburn Wood and Lyda Emerson Wood of Dallas, TX; and a great number of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her son Samuel Herbert Sandy, her daughter-in-law Stephanie Lynne Dawes Sandy, her son-in-law Robert Foster “Bob” Wood, her sister Frances Emma Louise Avent Sain, and four brothers George Walter Phenton Avent, Druphus Wade Avent, Samuel Franklin (Frank) Avent, and James (Jim) Ward Avent.
Bernice hated medicine and tried to avoid doctors as much as possible. Her preferred personal remedies were coal oil, castor oil and Vicks Vapor Rub. Her family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers and hospice workers who helped fulfill her desire to remain at home. For the exceptional care, comfort and friendship provided by Celine Boucher her family will be forever grateful.
A private interment and graveside service will be held at Henry Cemetery.
Should friends wish, the family suggests contributions in lieu of flowers to her favorite charities- First United Methodist Church, 901 N Fillmore, Corinth, MS 38834; Dementia Society of America, PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN
