Dr. Bernice Loretta Smith

Please click here to view the Live Stream of the Funeral Service For Ms. Bernice Smith. The Live Stream will begin at 11am on Friday, September, 20, 2024

Our sister Bernice is the youngest child of Jerry E. and Rovella Smith. We awaited the newborn’s arrival, pondering whether we would have baby brother or sister. “Bernice Loretta,” named for our mother’s two oldest sisters, came home from the hospital greeted by excitement and a little disappointment as our brother was hoping for a baby brother. His initial disappointment would soon be transformed to a steadfast devotion that endures to this very day. Bernice was loved and cherished by us all.

While born in Oceanside, California during the period our father was stationed at Camp Pendelton Marine Corp base, Bernice’s formative years were largely spent in the bedroom community of Somerdale, New Jersey. She made lifelong friends there, many of whom were her classmates through kindergarten, middle school, graduating with her with a high school diploma from Sterling High School.

What Bernice valued most was her Relationship with Christ, Higher Education, Professional Career, and Service to her Community.

Relationship with Christ

You only had to be acquainted with my sister for a short time before learning of her strong Christian faith. At the age of seventeen she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at Bethany Baptist Church in Somerdale. When she settled in Prince George’s County, Maryland Bernice joined the First Baptist Church of Glen Arden and immediately immersed herself in growing and developing her understanding of God’s Word. Bernice graduated from the Divine discipleship for Sisters (DDS) and became a Vessel of Honor mentoring DDS sisters. She served in the Alpha Ministry and Family Academy under the Education ministry led by Elder Esther Gordon. Bernice was a member of the Evangelism Ministry and Bernice served on the boards of Alice and Pearl’s House of Hope, Inc. and Maximizing God’s Woman, Inc. Although she ended her membership with The First Baptist Church of Glen Arden her thirst to be more like Jesus led her to continue her study and fellowship with other Saints.

Higher Education

Bernice’s post-secondary education began at Hampton University where she made lifelong connections and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. Her passion for the welfare of all living creatures and the environment led her to pursue a degree in Environmental Science and Policy at the Johns Hopkins University, where she earned her Master of Science degree in 1998. However, Bernice’s intellectual curiosity and commitment to saving the planet caused her to pursue a doctorate at Virginia Tech. In 2005, Bernice was conferred a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Environmental Design and Planning. What should be noted is that while Bernice was engaged in advancing her education in her chosen field of study, she was also pursuing her professional life.

Professional Career

Bernice had a long and highly accomplished career in the federal government. She was with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for over twenty-one (21) years where she held a number of senior leadership positions. From there she joined the National Science Foundation in the role of Deputy Director for the Division of Environmental Biology. During her storied career Bernice earned a number of high level licenses and certifications.

Community Service

Bernice made time to serve the communities in which she lived. Among her many volunteer undertakings, Bernice served as the Vice-Chair, City of Bowie Environmental Advisory Committee; Open Space Committee Chair, Fairfax Coalition for Smarter Growth, and a member of the Board of Directors and Environmental Policy Lead for the American Association of University Women. 

 A loving Daughter, Sister, Godmother, and Mother to her two furry daughters Camille and Gracie, “her girls,” Bernice left us a legacy of compassion and excellence. She will be sorely missed by us all.