Mary Bernice (Thigpen) FitzGerald, 73, was welcomed into Heaven on Saturday, January 7, 2023, in Houston, TX. Mary Bernice was born on April 9, 1949 in Lufkin, TX to Edgar and Nora Thigpen. She graduated from Central High School and married Richard FitzGerald on August 4th, 1967; when she moved to Houston, TX. She went on to have three children and four grandchildren. Mary Bernice had a dedicated servant’s heart. She was a member, worker, and volunteer for Northwest Crossings and then Faith Church, involved with Royal Rangers, Sunday Schools, nursery & childcare, weddings, funerals, church events and numerous celebrations throughout the years. Mary Bernice loved to serve behind the scenes, being the hands and feet of Jesus.
Mary Bernice is survived by her husband, Richard; children, Stephen, Youlonda and Tiffany; grandchildren, Edmund, William, Michael and Damon Cagle; siblings, Dorothy Hopson, Charles Thigpen, Jo Ann Willmon, Shirly White and Vickie Landrum all of Lufkin, TX; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Mary Bernice is preceded in death by parents Edgar and Nora Thigpen, and sisters, Marie Burrous and Norma Jean Hawk all of Lufkin, TX.
Visitation will be Wednesday, January 11, 2023 from 6-8pm and the Funeral Service will be Thursday, January 12, 2023 at 10am, both at Winford Funeral Home Northwest in Houston, TX; with a graveside service to follow at Whitehouse Cemetery in Lufkin, TX at 2:30pm. Pastor Nathan Rouse will officiate the ceremony in Houston, and Minister Pat Jones will officiate at the graveside in Lufkin. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Mary Bernice’s life.