Bernice Alexander Shupe

Bernice Alexander Shupe went to her heavenly home on Wednesday, March 27, 2013, following a long illness.She died peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends.Bernice was born on July 7, 1930, in Darlington County and grew up in the small town of Wisacky in Lee County.She was the sixth child of Claude McKiver Alexander and Floride CrosswellAlexander. Mrs. Shupe attended school in Lee County and graduated from Bishopville High School where she was a member of the girls’ basketball team which led to her lifelong love of sports activities.She was an avid fisherman and fan of the Atlanta Braves baseball team.Her blood ran garnet and black as her favorite teams were the University of South Carolina Gamecocks. Mrs. Shupe entered her beloved profession of nursing after graduating from the McLeod Infirmary School of Nursing in 1951.She was the office nurse for Dr. George Tyson in Florence, SC as well as doing private duty nursing at McLeods Infirmary.She was the first occupational nurse at the Dixiecup plant in Darlington, SC and retired from the plant after 25 years of service.During her years at “the Dixie”, she became an advocate for plant safety and worked with Dr James McInnis to maintain safety for her “people” as she lovingly referred to the plant employees under her care.She was a long time member of the South Carolina Occupational Health Nurses Association. Mrs. Shupe enjoyed many activities outside of her work, including fishing and playing card games with her family.She inherited a talent for handwork from her mother and leaves behind numerous beautiful knitted and cross-stitch pieces which will be enjoyed by family and friends for years.She took second place at the South Carolina State Fair for a cross-stitch afghan.Bernice was a life time member of the Beta Sigma Phi service sorority.She was an active member of the V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary in Darlington until her last illness and served as chapter Treasurer.She was a former member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Pee Dee Shrine Club.She served her Lord faithfully throughout her life and attended local churches.At the time of her death, she was a member of Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Florence, SC. Mrs. Shupe was the last member of a large and loving family and was preceded in death by her parents as well as her brothers and sisters:Maude A Jordan; Helen A Jordan; Claude M Alexander, Jr; James L Alexander; Charles D Alexander; and Nancy A Mackey.She had also lost her aunt, Pearl A Dew and 3 nephews: Mike Jordan, Bob Jordan and West Mackey. Mrs. Shupe is survived by her daughters,Floella Shupe of Florence, SC and Deborah R.J. Shupe of Columbia, SC: her grandsons, Justin L. Shupe Jones, Shane R. Shupe Jones and Cody A. Shupe Jones of Columbia, SC. : her son-in-law, Andy Jones of Columbia, SC: and many nieces and nephews.She will also be missed by long time family friends: Ann Boone Daniels of Charleston, SC; Ashley Buchanan of Columbia, SC; Faye P Wilds of Columbia, SC; Cynthia F Poston of Florence, SC; and Hattie Brown Ingram of Timmonsville, SC.She was a member of the original ‘Dixie Chicks’ from the Dixiecup and will be remembered fondly by Ginny DeFee, Myrtle Hancock, Joyce Tyner, Jean Carter and Ruth Odom of Darlington, SC. The family also wishes to say a special thank you to the people who helped care for Miss Bernice during the last years of her life.Ms. Mary Watson is our ‘angel on earth’ who cared for “Bernie” every weekday since 2009 and gave of herself unselfishly to Mrs. Shupe and her family.She has become a true blessing in our lives.Mrs. Bernetha Tynes, Ms. Lazil Coward and Mrs. Shannon Toney from Comfort Keepers cared for “Miss Bernice” every weekend and became members of our family.The staff members of Hospice Care of Tri-County were with us during Mother’s last days showing true compassion for the dying and the living.Thank you to Sharon Shelley, Rhonda Broom, Lisa Hyatt, Tim